DETROIT -- It no longer seems to matter who takes the mound for the Red Sox or which hitter comes to the plate in a key spot. Invariably, whoever that person is keeps coming through, and what you have is a red-hot team that is feeling better about itself with each passing day.
Backed by a vintage knuckleball by Tim Wakefield and another plethora of hitting heroes, the Sox rolled to a 6-3 victory over the Tigers on Friday night.
Boston is 12-2 over the last 14 games, and has sole possession of first place in the American League East after the Yankees' loss to the Mariners late Friday evening.
Jacoby Ellsbury got things started against Rick Porcello, ripping a homer to right. Pedroia kept the pressure on with a walk, and Adrian Gonzalez smacked a single. Kevin Youkilis didn't let that RBI opportunity go by, hammering a two-run double to center.
As for Ellsbury, he is putting together an All-Star-caliber season. The speedster, who played just 18 games last year because of rib fractures, is hitting .299 with six homers, 27 RBIs, a .365 on-base percentage and 18 stolen bases.
"He's a great player," said Pedroia. "We expect this from him. He can do anything. He hits homers, he steals bases, he plays defense. He's a special player, man."