Wakefield And The Boston Red Sox 'Pen Spin Beautiful Shutout...Boston 1 Atlanta 0

The ageless Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox bullpen, in the form of Manny Delcarmen, Justin Masterson and Jonathon Papelbon, spun a beauty in Atlanta Saturday night in Boston's second to last (hooray!) interleague game. The final score was 1-0 Good Guys. Wakes pitched six full frames and gave up only three hits and ZERO runs, striking out one and walking one. From the seventh inning on, it was the bullpen's time to shine once again. Delcarmen, Masterson and Papelbon, who earned his eighteenth save, combined to put up goose eggs for the duration of the game. They allowed only ONE hit. Boston pitching coach supreme John Farrell had this to say about his staff...

“This,” said pitching coach John Farrell following his charges’ second shutout in the last week, “is more indicative of what we expected when the staff was constructed in the offseason and at the start of the year. It did take some guys anywhere from three to five weeks to really find their rhythm and groove. It’s been exciting to see the consistency they’ve all shown the last month or so.”

Starting pitcher Timmy Wakefield commented on his ten win season and his team-tying (with Roger Clemens) 382nd Red Sox start...

“It feels really good to have 10 wins before the All-Star break. It’s pretty cool,’’ Wakefield said. “Just to be mentioned with the names that I’m mentioned with is pretty cool. I think it’s a testament not only to longevity and perseverance, but also the organization for keeping me around and giving me a chance to still pitch in a Red Sox uniform.’’

We love you Tim and you should and will be pitching for the American League team in the 2009 All Star game. The relief staff has a major league-best 2.95 ERA and has allowed fewer hits than any other bullpen group. They've been so valuable as a part of that volatile mix of starters and relievers. Red Sox manager Terry "Tito" Francona hit the proverbial nail on the head...

“It’s like one helps the other,” Francona said. “The bullpen isn’t tired and the starters aren’t overworked. They’ve all carried their load.”

That delicate balance has matured in the last 29 days. Since May 30th, the starters have a combined ERA of 3.38 and the Boston 'pen also has that major league best ERA. As John Farrell said, it took a few weeks but nearly every Sox pitcher is finding his groove. That's why I'm not worried about that shaky first inning spun by John Smoltz. We all saw the REAL John Smoltz in innings two though five. EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME through the month of October. Oh yeah!

This afternoon in Atlanta it'll be Brad Penny versus the red-hot Tommy Hanson as the Boston Red Sox seek another series sweep. Gametime will be at 1:35pm EDT. GO SOX...FOREVER. Remember, you can click on this post's title for full Red Sox coverage from the Boston Globe and as always, BE WELL. See ya, soon. Promise.