Wakefield gets 200th win as Red Sox crush Jays

Boston, MA – It took Tim Wakefield a long time, but the Boston knuckleball specialist finally picked up career win No. 200.

Wakefield pitched six innings and the Red Sox got a pair of homers and five RBI from Dustin Pedroia, as they blew out Toronto, 18-6, at Fenway Park.

Winless in his previous eight appearances, Wakefield (7-6) earned his first victory since July 24 against Seattle. The 45-year-old right-hander, who had lost his previous three decisions, yielded six hits and five runs while fanning six batters.

After the game was over Wakefield, who is the active MLB leader in wins, was given a standing ovation following his 428th start in a Red Sox uniform. He was also doused with champagne after an on-field interview.

"I'm just glad it's over with. It's been a long road, but it's definitely been worth the wait," Wakefield said.

Jacoby Ellsbury and Pedroia each had four hits, scored four times and combined for eight RBI. They hit consecutive homers in the fourth inning to give Boston the lead for good.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in four of Boston's season-high run total. The Red Sox, who totaled 18 hits, snapped a five-game skid and moved four games clear of Tampa Bay for the lead in the American League wild card standings. The Rays, who lost at Baltimore Tuesday night, come to Boston for a four-game series this weekend.

Brandon Morrow (9-11) surrendered seven hits and seven runs -- five earned -- over 5 1/3 innings to drop his fourth straight decision.

Jose Bautista clubbed his major league-leading 42nd homer and J.P. Arencibia tacked on a three-run shot for the Blue Jays, winners in four of their previous five games.

Ellsbury and Pedroia both homered with two outs in the fourth inning. The solo shots over the Green Monster moved the Sox to a 6-5 edge.

Wakefield escaped a jam with a pair of runners in scoring position in the fifth, and Boston widened the gap to 10-5 in the sixth.

Saltalamacchia's single to left plated Carl Crawford. After Ellsbury singled, Pedroia smacked a first offering from Luis Perez over the high wall in left.

Marco Scutaro recorded his 1,000th career hit in the seventh when his double to left scored Crawford.

The Red Sox made it a rout in a seven-run eighth by sending 11 men to the plate, highlighted by Saltalamacchia's three-run double. Ellsbury walked to begin in the inning and capped the outburst with an RBI single.

Boston got a gift two runs in the first inning in the opener of this two-game series. With the bases loaded Josh Reddick hit a ball in the hole on the right side. First baseman David Cooper's high throw to Morrow covering went off the pitcher's glove, allowing two runs to come home.

Arencibia's 23rd homer of the year gave Toronto the lead in the second, but Ellsbury's RBI double and Pedroia's sacrifice fly made it 4-3 going to the third.

Bautista homered to left with Eric Thames on base in the third to briefly put Toronto back on top.

Game Notes

Wakefield moved to 19-14 lifetime against the Blue Jays in his 45th start against the club, second most all-time after Roger Clemens (49) and Mike Mussina (44)...Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who had missed the previous three games with a left hip injury, went 0-for-3...Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was pulled from the game before he made his first at-bat due to back spasms...The Red Sox are 10-7 against Toronto and clinched the season series for a third straight year...Ellsbury has a 17-game hit streak...Chad Beck and Danny Farquhar each made their major league debut in relief for Toronto.