On his ninth try, it finally happened: Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox won his 200th career game. It looked to be in doubt after the first three innings of the game, when the Blue Jays held a 5-4 lead over Boston. But then, the Red Sox proceeded to score 14 straight runs to take a commanding lead. Wakfield went six innings to qualify for the win, and he finally got his milestone. Wakefield becomes the 111th pitcher to win 200 games, at the age of 44.
Wakefield is not under contract with the Red Sox next season, and it’s unclear whether or not he’s willing to come back for another season in hopes of tacking more wins onto his total.
The win was huge for the Red Sox as well. Coupled with Tampa Bay’s 4-2 loss to Baltimore, the Sox now own a four game lead in the AL wild card race with 15 left to play. The teams begin a critical four game series in Boston starting on Thursday.
Around the League…the Braves and Cardinals both won to keep pace with each other in the NL wild card race…the Phillies couldn’t clinch a playoff berth…the Tigers stayed ahead of the Rangers in the race for the AL’s two seed
Today’s Games…the Diamondbacks send Daniel Hudson to the hill to take on Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, while the Brewers send Shaun Marcum to face Kevin Millwood of the Rockies as both teams battle for the right to not face the Phillies in the first round…the Phillies send Roy Halladay to the mound to try to clinch a playoff berth against the Astros’ Bud Norris…rookie Randall Delgado starts a criucial game for the Braves against Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins
Enjoy the games, everyone
