BILL BURT
BOSTON — Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Aubrey Huff walked toward Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley in the clubhouse before last night's game, and with about 10 teammates within an earshot, made a request.
"Terry, we don't have to take batting practice tonight, right. Wakefield's pitching," said Huff.
A few guys laughed. But there is truth in his humor.
The Red Sox dominated the O's and Wakefield was the story in the 12-1 romp, throwing seven innings of two-hit, one-run ball to improve to 6-6. At one point, Wakefield retired 15 straight batters en route to his ninth straight outing of six-plus innings.
Huff and the Orioles took their places at the batting cage at 5:20 p.m., like they always do for night games at Fenway Park.
Last night was one of the handful games per year when the scouting reports and videos are a waste of time.
The only full-time knuckleball pitcher in baseball, Red Sox veteran Tim Wakefield, was on their docket.
After last night's 0 for 3, Huff is hitting 9 for 55 (.164) against the ageless Wakefield, who'll turn 42 on Aug. 2.
"You don't come to the game with a plan," said Huff. "All I do is make believe I'm playing softball and use my softball swing."
Huff is far from alone in his misery on the Orioles. All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts (8-46, .174, 1 RBI), Nick Markakis (3-19, .158) and Jay Payton (1-12, .083) also can't hit Wakefield.
"There is only one philosophy with Wakefield, which is one that most people use: If it's high, let if fly, if it's low, let it go," said Payton, Wakefield's teammate for a half-season in 2005. "But what do I know. I can't hit him. It's why I'm not playing tonight."
Crowley, who usually spends ample time breaking down opposing pitchers with batters, didn't yesterday.
"Brooks Robinson used to crowd the plate for knuckleballers. Others like to be away from the plate. Some guys like the high ball. I, personally, liked the low ball," said Crowley before the game.
"Everybody has a different philosophy. I believe that if it's dancing, you're not going to hit it. You hope for a flat one, which happens sometimes. Or you hope that guys have the athletic ability to see it and hit it, wherever it is."
The first inning was a vintage Wakefield inning. He induced an easy groundout to second from Roberts and a popup by to second by Adam Scott.
The third batter, Markakis, hitting .302 entering the game, look like a rank amateur as Wakefield came back from a 3-0 count to strike him out looking on a 76-mph fastball.
"It sounds easy, hitting his fastball, but you can't sit on it," said Crowley. "He throws 90 or 95 percent knuckleballs. If you're looking fastball you may never see one."
Third-year shortstop Brandon Fahey entered the game with four at-bats against Wakefield without a hit.
"I remember the first at-bat I faced him I just tried to hit it and I struck out," said Fahey of his only encounter with Wakefield on May 6, 2006.
"The second time I tried to hit it the other way but it didn't work. The third time I tried to pull it and flew out. And the last time I tried up the middle and hit a grounder (to shortstop). I just remember the ball going sideways. It was too tough that day."
The diamond in the rough for the Orioles is old friend Kevin Millar. He has treated Wakefield as a batting practice pitcher, with 11 hits in 24 at bats, including three homers, entering last night's game.
True to form, in the second inning last night Millar lined his 12th hit over Wakefield, a two-out single to left field.
"When I face Wake I have fun," said Millar. "I go for a home run every pitch. I do. He'll make you look like an idiot. You can strike out one time, falling down, and hit a homer the next time up. That's the knuckleball in a nutshell. I say just have fun."
Millar probably should have sat down with Roberts before the game.
When Roberts was asked about the Wakefield knuckler, he gave a three-word answer.
"I hate it," he said.
Enough said.
E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
Red Sox 12, Orioles 1
Offensive stars: Kevin Youkilis grand slam, 6 RBIs; Dustin Pedroia 2 hits, 2 RBIs; Manny Ramirez 18th homer, 3 runs; J.D. Drew 17th homer, 2 hits, 2 RBIs
Redemption: Youkilis could have sent Friday's game into extra innings but fanned with the bases loaded.
Quick start: Drew and Ramirez hit back-to-back homers in the first inning.
Today's game: 1:35 p.m.
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