Behind Tim Wakefield’s third complete game of the season, Boston moved six games ahead of Detroit in the AL East after the opener of the four-game series.
“When you’re playing your division, every game is two games” in the standings, Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. “You don’t look at the scoreboard. You just concentrate on the club you’re playing.”
Boston has had sole possession of first place since May 9, but its lead slipped to four games after Detroit won its fourth straight game last Sunday. Since then, the Red Sox have won three of four.
“You always want to try to take the first game of a series,” Detroit’s Chad Curtis said. “I think if we can at least go 2-2 on this trip, I would consider that successful.”
Mike Macfarlane’s leadoff homer in the fifth gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead, then they scored five runs in the eighth. The big blow was Mike Greenwell’s bases-loaded single that brought home three runs when it eluded right-fielder Danny Bautista for an error.
Wakefield won his first game in four starts after winning his first four appearances since being recalled from the minors May 27. He struck out five, walked one and allowed eight hits.
Wakefield allowed just two earned runs in 33 1/3 innings in his first four starts. But he was 0-1 in his next three starts.
