Jason Bay, Tim Wakefield lead Red Sox to 6-3 victory and 3-game sweep of Tigers

Bay, Wakefield lead Red Sox to sweep of Tigers

DETROIT — Jason Bay’s bases-loaded double keyed a six-run third inning and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers with a 6-3 victory Thursday.

Tim Wakefield (7-3) got the win, giving up three runs and five hits in 6 2-3 innings. The 42-year-old knuckleballer has beaten the Tigers 16 times, more than any other active pitcher.

Three Boston relievers finished, with Jonathan Papelbon pitching the ninth for his 14th save in 15 attempts. The Tigers put two runners on base, but Dustin Pedroia’s diving stop at second base helped Papelbon escape unscathed.

Dontrelle Willis (1-3) took a step back in his comeback from control problems, allowing five runs in 2 1-3 innings despite not giving up a hit. He walked five batters and hit another with a pitch.

Detroit went ahead 3-0 in the second, but lost Miguel Cabrera in the process. Cabrera hurt his left hamstring going from first to second on Curtis Granderson’s single and was barely able to run while coming home on Brandon Inge’s two-run double. Adam Everett added an RBI groundout later in the inning.

Jeff Larish replaced Cabrera at first base in the third, when Boston rallied for six runs to chase Willis.

After starting the inning with a hit batter and a walk, Willis struck out George Kottaras, but then walked the next three batters to force in a pair of runs.

Zach Miner replaced Willis and immediately gave up a two-run double to Bay, putting the Red Sox up 4-3. Mike Lowell’s groundout scored the fifth run, and Rocco Baldelli made it 6-3 with a single.

The Tigers nearly scored in the sixth, but Larish’s long fly went just foul down the right-field line. Detroit questioned the decision, leading to the first video replay in Comerica Park history. The umpires only needed a few moments to uphold the call.