Knuckle Curve » tim wakefield

Josh Beckett Enters All-Star Break in Style

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:15:22 +0000

Josh Beckett is headed to the 2009 Major League All-Star Game. On Sunday, he made sure to leave a good taste in his mouth prior to the break. His complete game shutout led the Boston Red Sox to a 6-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

In his nine innings of work, Josh Beckett gave up only three hits while striking out seven and walking none. Beckett is now 11-3 on the season with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

Aaron Bates was the hottest bat in the Red Sox lineup. The first baseman had three hits in four at-bats, scored a run and batted in a run.

Beckett will be joined in the All-Star game by fellow Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield. Beckett and Wakefield are the only two pitchers in the American League with 11 wins.

With the win, Boston improved to 54-34 on the season. They are three games up in the AL East and boast the best record in the American League. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only team with a better record.

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Tim Wakefield Wins Number 11

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:59:25 +0000

At 42, many thought Tim Wakefield’s days of being a capable starting pitcher were over at the beginning of the season. Think again. Not only is Wakefield pitching well, he’s pitching well enough to be named to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

On Wednesday, Wakefield showed exactly why he’s an All-Star. In six innings of work, Wakefield struck out eight batters and gave up three earned runs to win for the 11th time this season. The knuckleballer has an ERA of 4.14 and a WHIP of 1.38.

Wakefield has a chance to set a career-high in wins. In 1998 and 2007, he had 17 wins. Last season, he had a record of 10-11.

His 11th win of the season came over the Oakland A’s. With their 5-4 victory, the Red Sox improved their record to 51-33. Oakland dropped to 35-48 with the loss.

The next time you see Wakefield on the mound will be win he’s pitching for the American League.

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Tim Wakefield Almost Throws a No-Hitter

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:58:38 +0000

Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox has been around forever. On Wednesday, the 42-year-old knuckleballer almost had his first career no-hitter. Wakefield had a no-hitter going until it was broken up in the eighth inning.

Tim Wakefield's Near No-Hitter (Image: Flickr)

With five outs remaining before becoming the second oldest player in baseball history to throw a no-hitter, Kurt Suzuki of the Oakland Athletics got a single with one out left in the eighth inning. The Red Sox still easily went on to win by a final score of 8-2.

Wakefield ended up pitching a complete game while giving up four hits and two earned runs. He struck out four while only walking to batters and lowered his ERA on the season to 3.00.

At the plate, the Red Sox got homers from Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew. Jacoby Ellsbury broke out of a slump with a two-run hit in the eighth inning.

With the win, Boston improved to 3-6 on the season. The loss sent the Athletics to 4-5.

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Wakefield’s Influence Only Gets You So Far in Life

Geoff Young — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:26:42 +0000

The Boston Red Sox have released backup catcher Doug Mirabelli. The 37-year-old backstop has amassed 89 hits against 148 strikeouts over the past three seasons and possesses exactly one usable baseball skill — the ability to catch Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball.

That may not sound like much, but it was enough to give Mirabelli a career. Hey, the ride had to end at some point…

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