Game Story, 7.12.07: Drew, Pedroia, Ortiz and Manny light up

Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells reaches but can't make the play on an RBI double by Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz in the sixth inning of their baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, July 12, 2007.

BOS   7   11   0
TOR   4   12   1

W - Wakefield (10-8)
L - Halladay  (10-4)
S - Papelbon  (21)

THE STARTER:

It wasn't his best performance, but it was good enough for Tim Wakefield to earn his 10th win of the season. Wakefield went six innings and gave up nine hits, four runs, no walks and struck out two. Wake threw just 89 pitches.

THE 'PEN:

This is how Sox games are scripted to go: Manny Delcarmen in the 7th, Hideki Okajima in the 8th, and Jonathan Papelbon earns the save in the 9th. Manny D had a perfect inning plus a strikeout. Oki was shaky and gave up two hits, but didn't allow any runners to cross the plate. Paps gave up a double but struck out two and got Vernon Wells to line out to end the game.

THE LINEUP:

Healthy or not, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez powered the Sox offense in the victory. Ortiz went 3 for 5 with two runs and two RBI. Manny went 2 for 4 with a run and three RBI. JD Drew and Dustin Pedroia both went 1 for 4 with two runs and a walk. Even Julio Lugo got into the action, swatting two hits.

THE FIELD:

Manny threw out Frank Thomas at second on a percise bullet off the wall. Yeah, it's Frank Thomas, but it was still a nice play. No errors by the Sox.

WINNER: Ramirez
Gotta' give it to the man who was a stud at the plate and held his own in the field. When's the last time Manny got a Mueller, by the way?

WINNER: Wakefield
Hate to give it to him, but he was quite disappointing and benefited from an effective offense behind him. The 'pen picked him up, too.