It wasn’t just that the Red Sox moved the Yankees one game closer to playoff extinction with a 7-3 victory. That’s the small picture. This is about the big picture. And the big picture is the Red Sox are playing their best baseball at a critical juncture of the season with almost every unit coming together.
Tim Wakefield won in his return from the disabled list. Rookie Justin Masterson highlighted a shutout performance from the bullpen by inducing a boo-riddled Alex Rodriguez to ground into a rally-killing double play. The bottom third of the order contributed seven hits and three RBI. And when it was over, the Sox could look forward not just to the return of Josh Beckett on Friday, but also the possible addition of outfielder Mark Kotsay from the Braves.
The Red Sox certainly were clicking last night. They drew within 3 1/2 games of first-place Tampa Bay, opened a 2 1/2-game lead on Minnesota in the wild card race, and dropped the Yankees 9 1/2 back in the AL East. They bounced Andy Pettitte with two outs in the fifth after he had allowed six runs on 10 hits. Some of the hits weren’t exactly ripped, but the Sox were aggressive - nowhere more so than when Coco Crisp scored from second on an infield single to third by Jeff Bailey in the fifth.
Every Sox starter with the exception of Dustin Pedroia recorded a hit, which was more than enough for Wakefield, who allowed a pair of solo homers to former teammate Johnny Damon and otherwise avoided trouble despite allowing eight hits in five innings.
Nation Notes: The Red Sox officially acquired outfielder Mark Kotsay from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza. Kotsay is expected to join the team in New York and will wear No. 11. The 32-year-old is batting .289 with 6 homers and 37 RBI in 81 games this season.
