Tim Wakefield agreed Tuesday to a $4 million, one-year contract extension through 2006 that gives Boston the ability to keep its longest-tenured player for the rest of his career.
The 38-year-old knuckleballer, 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA in three starts, gave up his chance to become a free agent and the Red Sox can keep renewing his contract annually at the same salary.
“It takes a lot of pressure off me to be able to know that I’m going to be here for a long time and I can just go out there and do my job,” said Wakefield, in his 11th season with the Red Sox. He’s 116-99 for Boston and his 1,343 strikeouts for the Red Sox trail only Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez.
Soriano in snit over sitting
Alfonso Soriano (bruised left knee) wasn’t happy about not being in Texas’ starting lineup. The All-Star second baseman kicked a garbage can onto its side and then kicked a rolling laundry cart upon learning he would not play. “When I come into the ballpark with my mind 100 percent to play, it’s tough to change your mind,” he said. Manager Buck Showalter said Soriano will be back in the lineup Wednesday at Tampa Bay.
Extra innings
Cleveland pitcher Scott Elarton is winless in his last 26 road starts. . . . Angels’ Vladimir Guerrero homered in third consecutive game for 10th time in his career. . . . Boston police filed misdemeanor criminal charges against the two fans involved in a scuffle with New York OF Gary Sheffield last week at Fenway Park. . . . The Yankees called up LHP Buddy Groom from Triple-A Columbus to replace Tanyon Sturtze, who went on the DL (strained muscle). . . . Boston is the only team not to allow a 1st-inning run this season.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Oakland 0 at Texas 3
W: Astacio (1-1)
L: Blanton (0-1)
S: Cordero (6)
Pedro Astacio got a World Series ring, then got his 1st win in nearly 2 years, allowing 6 hits in 8 innings. He got a ring from Boston, where he made 1 start before shoulder surgery last year.
Cleveland 5 at Kansas City 6
W: MacDougal (1-0)
L: Rhodes (1-1)
Journeymen catcher Alberto Castillo’s solo HR with 2 outs in 9th won it, his 10th in 904 ABs. “What can I say? It’s a great feeling,” he said. Indians loaded bases with no outs twice, didn’t score.
Seattle 5 at Los Angeles 3
W: Moyer (3-0)
L: Gregg (1-1)
S: Guardado (4)
Still battling the flu, Richie Sexson had 3-run HR and Raul Ibanez added solo shot in 1st. LHP Jamie Moyer, 42, is within 2 of Randy Johnson’s mark (130) for most wins in Mariners history.
Toronto 4 at Boston 3
W: Halladay (3-0)
L: Foulke (1-2)
S: Batista (4)
Corey Koskie’s 4th hit, a single, drove home the winning run in 9th. He also hit HR as Blue Jays broke 9-game losing streak at Fenway Park and snapped Boston’s 5-game win streak.
Tampa Bay 6 at New York 2
W: Nomo (2-1)
L: Johnson (1-1)
Eduardo Perez hit 2 HRs off Randy Johnson and Hideo Nomo, pitching on 3 days’ rest for 1st time in 302 starts, allowed 1 run, 6 hits in 5 2/3 as Rays ended 11-game skid at Yankee Stadium.
Detroit 4 at Baltimore 8
W: Ponson (2-1)
L: Robertson (0-2)
5-9 2B Brian Roberts hit 6th HR, a 3-run shot, and Miguel Tejada and Rafael Palmeiro had solo shots. O’s have at least 7 runs in 5 of last 6 games. Tigers’ Dmitri Young hit streak is now at 11.
