Boston finishes off a workmanlike week and heads for home after a sweep of the Orioles.

01:00 AM EDT on Monday, April 10, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BALTIMORE -- It may only be the first week of the season, but so far, the Red Sox' wins are being produced as though they were being churned out on an assembly line.

There might be some slight variations to each, but every one is marked by the same easy-to-identify characteristics: strong starting pitching and dependable work from the bullpen.

Through the first six games, Red Sox starting pitchers are 5-1 with a 3.58 E.R.A. The bullpen is 3-for-3 in save chances.

Is it any wonder they've sprinted to a 5-1 start and take a four-game winning streak into tomorrow's home opener?

Yesterday, as the Red Sox finished off a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 4-1 triumph, it was Tim Wakefield's turn. In his first start of the year, last Tuesday in Texas, Wakefield's knuckleball was more unpredictable than usual and he failed to make it through the fourth inning.

But he harnessed his pitch better yesterday and survived some defensive lapses from his infielders to carry the Sox through six innings. The lone run off him was unearned and he commanded the pitch around the strike zone, much to the relief of his catcher-in-training, Josh Bard.

"My misses were better today," said Wakefield.

If Ameriquest Field in Texas is Wakefield's personal trouble spot, then Camden Yards is among his favorite environments. With the victory yesterday, Wakefield improved to 7-3 with a 2.90 E.R.A. in 19 career appearances.

The Orioles got their only run of the afternoon in the first, with help from an error by Mark Loretta. David Newhan reached on a roller through Loretta's legs, swiped second on a steal, moved to third on a flyout to right and rode home on Miguel Tejada's single to right-center.

He had some momentarily control lapses in the fourth when he walked two hitters in the span of three at-bats, but got out of the jam when he retired Luis Matos on a fielder's choice.

In the sixth, Wakefield surrendered a leadoff double to Ramon Hernandez and a single to Chris Gomez, giving the O's runners at the corners with none out. But Wakefield rose to the challenge and struck out Corey Patterson, Newhan and Matos swinging, with Newhan tricked by a surprise fastball for strike three.

"I was just trying to minimize the damage," said Wakefield.

"What a good job he did," said Bard. "It could have gotten away from him in the first inning, but he made sure it didn't."

For the first four innings, the Sox could do little against perpetual nemesis Rodrigo Lopez (10-5 in his career against Boston), with just two singles to show for their effort.

Francona went against type in the fifth after J.T. Snow and Bard had singled to begin the inning, instructing Alex Gonzalez to put down a bunt. The shortstop executed perfectly and the Sox had two baserunners in scoring position.

"Little ball," said a smiling Francona, well aware that he seldom chooses that strategy. "We're not going to do it (all the time). But on a day when you're facing a guy you don't have great numbers against, and when it looks like it's only going to take a couple of runs. . ."

Adam Stern made it work with a single to right, scoring Snow. Loretta followed with a lineout right at second baseman Chris Gomez, but when Gomez tried to double-up Stern at first, his throw hit Stern's elbow and caromed away, enabling Bard to score.

In the sixth, Lopez began making like Daniel Cabrera on Friday, unable to throw strikes. He walked the bases loaded, then yielded run-scoring singles to Stern and Loretta, doubling the Sox' output for the afternoon.

From there, Francona divvied up the relief work evenly, giving an inning each to Mike Timlin (seventh), erstwhile closer Keith Foulke (eighth) and Jonathan Papelbon (ninth). The combined line score for the relievers: three scoreless innings pitched, four hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

Five wins in six tries? Not a bad week of work.

"I think it will be a great way to head into the home opener (tomorrow)," said Francona. "I think Fenway will be jumping."

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340