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Boston's Wakefield adds to D-Backs' frustrations
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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson looks down as Boston Red Sox's Kevin Cash (36) rounds the bases on a three-run home run in the eighth inning on Wednesday at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox won 5-0.
The Associated Press
BOSTON - After striking out in the fourth inning, Conor Jackson took his bat with both hands and flung it down at home plate. Next came his helmet. Trying to hit a knuckleball for the first time can do that to a guy, and Jackson was hardly alone.
View the D-Backs-Red Sox box score
D-Backs notebook: End of DH play puts team in dilemma
Boston flutter-baller Tim Wakefield limited the Diamondbacks to two hits and struck out six in seven innings for a 5-0 victory as the Red Sox won the series, two games to one, to send the D-Backs to their fifth loss in six games on this trip, and their 19th loss in the last 26 road games.
"You feel like you are on it, and the ball drops out from under you," Jackson said.
"It's like you're fighting to get a piece of wood on it. It's the first time I've seen anything like that, and I hope it's the last."
The D-Backs (40-39) are only one game over .500 for the first time since April 5, although they still lead the NL West by 3 games.
"I don't look at the standings," outfielder Chris Young said.
"I look at what we are doing lately. I know we're in first place. I know we need to try to find something to get us out of this funk."
Randy Johnson (4-7) gave up eight hits and struck out six while allowing two runs in six innings, his first quality start since May 18.
"Yesterday or tomorrow, maybe this game is good enough," said Johnson, who has lost five straight games for the first time since 1999, his first season with the D-Backs.
"It's nothing I haven't gone through in this game. I'd like it to end pretty soon. We're getting close to that (frustrating) territory."
Turning point: Kevin Cash hit a three-run home run off Juan Cruz to give Boston a 5-0 lead in the eighth inning.
Stat of the game: The D-Backs have lost seven of their last eight road series.
Unsung hero: Orlando Hudson had two of the D-Backs’ three hits and has seven multiple-hit games in his last 15 games.
Randy in a rut: Randy Johnson lost his fifth straight game, tying for the second-longest losing streak of his career. He lost five in a row in 1999. He had an eight-game losing streak in 1992, the year he led the American League with 241 strikeouts and 144 walks.
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