By Maureen Mullen
CSNNE.comFollow @maureenamullen
PITTSBURGHOne inning proved to be Tim Wakefields undoing Saturday night, as the Red Sox fell to the Pirates, 6-4, for the second straight game.
With a two-run lead in the fourth, Wakefield faced eight Pirates hitters, with four scoring. Lyle Overbay's three-run homerscoring Andrew McCutchen, who singled, and Neil Walker, who walked -- in the inning was the big blow, followed by an RBI single by Jeff Karstens, scoring Ronny Cedeno, who doubled. It was Karstens first RBI of the season.
Before the fourth, Wakefield had managed to keep the Pirates at bay, retiring them in order in the first and second, and working out of a jam in the third, when he threw two wild pitches, had two runners on base, but managed to hold Pittsburgh off the scoreboard.
Then came the fourth inning.
It was one of those innings where I just fell out of rhythm and gave up a three run homer and that pretty much cost us the game, Wakefield said.
I was just trying to be too quick to the plate. The guys that got on were really fast runners, and I was trying to give catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, in case of a steal, a chance to throw guys out. Lost a little feel and lost a little rhythm.
I think Wake battled his butt off tonight, Saltalamacchia said. He fell behind. Didnt have the consistent strikes that he had the last time. They were putting the ball in play. They got some infield hits. The Overbay home run hurt us but theres nothing you can do about it, 3-2 count, we threw the knuckle. Overbay did a good job.
Boston Red Sox
As he usually does against the Red Sox. For Overbay, who is hitting .307 against the Sox, the home run was his 13th against the Red Sox, more than he has against any other team. He entered the game batting .333 (9-for-27) with one home run and five RBI in his career against Wakefield, while hitting just .231 this season.
Its definitely a tough matchup, Wakefield said. Especially when I feel behind him 2-0. Trying to get back in, throwing fastballs in that situation and I got to 3-2 and I threw a knuckleball that just didnt have anything on it at the end and he hit it out.
In the eighth inning, the Sox had the tying runs on base with two outs and Marco Scutaro at the plate to face lefty Tony Watson. Manager Terry Francona was asked if he considered using David Ortiz to pinch-hit in that situation.
No. I was hoping theyd bring in a righty. Then we would have, he said. We want to hit David next. If they brought in a righty we would have had David hit for Scoot and have Drew Sutton hit next and put him in at short.
Dustin Pedroias fourth error of the season, on Andrew McCutchens fifth-inning grounder allowed the Pirates to score their fifth run, as Chase dArnaud scored from second.
I put my head up to see if the runner was going, to see if the guy that was on second was going to go to third, Pedroia said. And I took my eye off the ball. Thats basically it. I missed it.
The crowd of 49,483 was the largest ever at PNC Park.
Right-hander Bobby Jenks threw one inning in a rehab appearance for Double-A Portland. He went one scoreless inning, giving up one hit, no walks, with one strikeout, throwing 13 pitches, eight for strikes.
Pittsburghs relievers have held the Sox scoreless over a combined 5 13 innings in the first two games of the series.
They got a good staff, Saltalamacchia said. I think Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is doing a great job just mixing them up, putting lefties on lefties, righties on righties, something that the American League's not too used to. But we got to do a better job putting some runs on the board, and just playing solid defense.
Were not familiar with their guys, Pedroia said. Weve seen them once in spring training but thats basically it.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter at http:twitter.commaureenamullen