Stat Bites

Another gem from Tim Wakefield last night, the 19th time in his career he's left the mound after 7 or more innings without giving up a run. Dave Pinto would call such an event a "short shutout," and Wakefield is now tied for fourth on the Red Sox Retrosheet-era list with Bill Monbouquette. Any guesses as to No. 3 before you click the link?

With six starts this season notching a 70 game score or better, the Red Sox are already halfway toward their season total in 2005 and on pace for 28 -- their highest since Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe were forming the best one-season pitching combo in recent club history. Last year, they notched 25.

Don't look now, but David Ortiz -- .309/.385/.580 since bottoming out at .070 20 games ago -- now has a 104 OPS+. His seven home runs and 24 RBI bring him close to where he was at last year at this time (9, 31), as well as 2005 (9, 24) and 2004 (9, 26). And it looks like he's still improving.