The knuckleball was ineffective for Tim Wakefield, but the Red Sox rallied late to escape with a 5-4 win over the Royals.
Wakefield left the game after the fourth inning because of a back injury, but the Royals already lead 3-0.
Luke Hudson was dealing for Kansas City holding the powerful Red Sox offense scoreless for six innings. But it all came undone in the seventh. Singles by Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, and Coco Crisp netted a run and chased Hudson from the game with one out. Joel Peralta, replacing Hudson, appeared to walk the first batter he faced Doug Mirabelli, but home plate umpire Jim Joyce made a delayed called strike bringing Mirabelli back to the plate. Peralta and the Royals wish Joyce would’ve let Mirabelli take his free pass; he took the next pitch and sent it over the fence in left center field for a three-run homer tying the game. Ramirez’ sacrifice fly in the eighth gave Boston the lead.
Mike Timlin retired the side in the eighth to get the win. The incredible rookie, Jonathan Papelbon, pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 27th save of the year.
Related web sites:
Royals Official Website