Red Sox Split Doubleheader With Toronto, Fall Back Into Tie for AL East Lead

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The New York Sun

BOSTON – Russ Adams hit a sacrifice fly to break an eighth-inning tie as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Red Sox 7-5 last night, splitting a day-night doubleheader and spoiling Boston’s chance to take the lead in the AL East.


Tim Wakefield pitched seven strong innings to give Boston a 3-1 victory in the day game. But with the Fenway fans paying as much attention to the Yankees’ game in Baltimore as the one in front of them, the Red Sox lost the nightcap and fell back into a tie with the Yankees for the AL East lead.


The Red Sox were also tied in the AL wild-card race with the Cleveland Indians, who lost 5-4 to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.


Frank Catalanotto had four hits, and Adams had a pair of hits to go with sacrifice flies in the eighth and ninth innings to snap Boston’s four-game winning streak. Jason Frasor (3-5) struck out two in 1 1/3 innings as five relievers combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.


Curt Schilling allowed five runs on 10 hits and a walk, striking out eight in 6 1/3 innings for his third consecutive no-decision. Edgar Renteria had five hits on the day, and Ortiz had three RBI to bring his major league-leading total to 143.


Wakefield (16-11) helped Boston pull into a tie for the AL East lead in the afternoon before leaving after seven so he will be rested for his next start – on three days’ rest – in the crucial weekend series against the Yankees.


“I probably could have finished the game, but I don’t think that’s a smart move,” he said after holding the Blue Jays to one unearned run on three hits.


The victory guaranteed that the AL East title will be up for grabs when New York comes to Fenway Park for a three-game, season-ending series this weekend.


Because of Monday’s rainout, Schilling will start the regular-season finale against the Yankees instead of Saturday’s game. Wakefield will start on three days’ rest on Saturday and face Randy Johnson. David Wells and Chien-Ming Wang will pitch Friday’s series opener.


The New York Sun

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