Tim Wakefield pitches a three-hit gem as Boston sweeps the Tigers, extends its winning streak to six games and closes within 4 1/2 games of the Yankees.

09:01 AM EDT on Monday, August 30, 2004

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

AP photo Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield limits the Tigers to three hits in eight innings en route to a 6-1 win yesterday.

BOSTON -- Tim Wakefield has a selective memory.

It's a good thing, too, because the last time he faced the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox' knuckleballer was tagged for six home runs, tying a modern day record.

Yesterday, Wakefield served up one homer, and it was one of only three hits he allowed in eight superlative innings in pitching the Red Sox past Detroit, 6-1, for a sweep of the four-game series at Fenway Park.

Manny Ramirez, who missed the previous game because of a bruised left knee, delivered the go-ahead hit, a two-out, two-run single in the fifth that was followed by three more hits in what became a four-run uprising. Mark Bellhorn's two-run homer in the seventh accounted for the other runs.

The victory, which was Boston's sixth in a row and 18th in the last 22 games, pulled the Red Sox to within 4 1/2 games of the New York Yankees in the American League East. They haven't been that close since June 23.

And it also ensured that Boston had a little cushion in the wild-card chase, which is important because the Red Sox' next nine games will be against A.L. West playoff contenders Anaheim, Texas and Oakland.

That stretch opens after today's day off, with the Angels and then the Rangers visiting for three games apiece, beginning tomorrow night, before Boston flies to the West Coast for three in Oakland, to be followed by three in Seattle.

"We needed to peak at the right time," said Wakefield. "I just think we're jelling together. Everything's clicking on all cylinders for us. The defense is great, the offense is great and the starting pitching has been very good for the last two weeks. When you have your motor running on all cylinders, it's tough to beat us."

It has been tough to beat Wakefield lately, too, even when he does give up six homers in five innings, as he did in spacious Comerica Park on Aug. 8. The Red Sox won that game, 11-9. And Wakefield was the winning pitcher.

"That never really crossed my mind," said Wakefield, referring to the beating he absorbed that day. "It's just one of those things that happened. We won anyway. So you try to erase that. I've always used the philosophy that you're only as good as your next start."

Wakefield (11-7) now has won six of his last seven starts. He hasn't always pitched well in winning those games, but yesterday he was dominant, a term that is rarely applied to someone who throws a knuckleball. He permitted only two hits to rookie Nook Logan (double in the third, single in the eighth) and Craig Monroe's homer over the Green Monster in left that provided Detroit with a 1-0 lead in the fifth.

"He just pounded the strike zone with not only his knuckleball, but he threw a lot of breaking balls, too," said manager Terry Francona. "When his ball is moving that much and he's throwing it for strikes, it's a tough combo for the opposing team."

Wakefield just took it one pitch at a time.

"I knew leaving the bullpen I had pretty good stuff, but I can't use that as a barometer sometimes," said Wakefield. "My concentration was a lot better today. Doug [Mirabelli] did a great job behind the plate, mixing things up. We mixed in my fastball and breaking ball more. I had better command of my knuckleball today" than the last time against the Tigers.

Of course, without some offensive support, Wakefield's gem might have been wasted.

It took awhile for Boston to solve left-hander Wilfredo Ledezma, a Rule 5 pick by Detroit from the Red Sox organization prior to the 2003 season. But in the end, things worked out for the Sox, as they have been for most of August, a month in which Boston has posted a 20-7 record.

Gabe Kapler drilled a two-out single to left in the fifth. A walk to Johnny Damon, and infield single by Bellhorn and Ramirez's single gave Boston a 2-1 advantage, and the Red Sox kept piling on from there.

"We battled," said Damon. "We tired him out. We made him work for everything. Manny got the big hit, and then it seemed like everyone relaxed."

Today can be a day of relaxation for the Red Sox. But then the Angels come to town, and the playoff race intensity gets ratcheted up as the season heads into the final month.