By going eight innings in a 5-3 loss at Seattle on Sunday, Wakefield accomplished several things. Since the Red Sox could not rally in the top of the ninth, he picked up his 33rd complete game and his first since April 22, 2009, which was a rain-shortened affair against Minnesota that was over after seven innings.
By doing it in two hours, 14 minutes, the second-fastest game of the year for Boston, he gave the team a chance to hit the airport nice and early and possibly get home at a time that might allow the players to actually enjoy Monday's day off.
And by eating up all the available innings, he sent the staff back home very rested as it prepares for what could be the most grueling portion of the schedule.
After the day off, the Red Sox begin a stretch of 14 games in 13 days. It all starts with a doubleheader Tuesday against Tampa Bay and another contest the following afternoon, during which all hands need to be on deck. The same could be said about the ensuing nine games, four in Kansas City and four in Texas, where temperatures will take down even the heartiest.
Wakefield has now had four starts in four cities in his fruitless crack at 200 wins. The first three saw him produce a quality start. The fourth saw him work a complete game, despite being victimized by his defense early on.
After retiring the first six men he faced, Wakefield walked Casper Wells to begin the third. Wells then broke for second and was sliding in behind the throw from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but the ball bounced over Dustin Pedroia's glove and into center field. Wells was on third with the error and scored on Jack Wilson's single that gave Seattle a lead it would never lose.
An error on Jed Lowrie later in the inning extended the inning for Seattle, which capitalized with a sacrifice fly and another RBI single to make it 3-0.
Over the final five frames, Wakefield allowed just two more runs, giving his team every opportunity to chip away.
The Sox couldn't overcome what became a four-run deficit at one point, but they have to be pleased with what Wakefield was able to provide.
A complete game, an early departure on getaway day and plenty of rest for a bullpen that has been forced to eat up a heavy load of innings this year. It wasn't a milestone, but it was still an effort that did plenty to help out the club.
