Red Sox @ Rays: Okay, this time we'll be trying...

James Shields shut down the Red Sox last night, and despite a rally kept alive by pure luck, the Sox fell to the Rays 5-4 and are now 1.5 games back.

Tonight Tim Wakefield will square off with Matt Garza in the Trop. The season is far from over, but it would be nice to take this series and get back on track before the break, so who better to turn to than Wake, he of the 9-1, 2.52 ERA at Tropicana Field?

Wake gave the Sox 7 solid innings in all five starts in June, and was 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA. He's beet stellar as of late, but he did take an no decision back in May when Timlin gave up the game winning hit in the 11th. Wakefield gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and 5 walks in that game.

Matt Garza will go for the Rays. The young right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA at home this season and has allowed just 3 runs or less in 9 of his last 11 starts. Graza is 2-1 with a 4.71 ERA in four career starts versus Boston, but he went 01- with a 6.97 ERA in 2 starts last season. Last time he saw the Sox (6/3) he was shellacked for 7 runs (5 earned) and took the 7-4 loss.

That said, Garza is a control freak, walking just over 2 batters per game giving him a 1.21 WHIP - 11th best in the AL. The Sox have one of the most patient lineups in the league, but they'll be tested by Graza tonight.

Guys to Watch: Manny is 5-8 (.625) versus Garza, but Manny's in a bit of a funk - his average has fallen from .301 on 6/14 to .286 after an 0-3 showing last night... JD Drew is 2-3 with a homer against Garza... and Mike Lowell has heated up, batting .450 with 5 doubles, a HR and 10 RBI in his past 10 games.

Akinori Iwamura's suspension ended on Monday. He had been on a roll before his suspension, hitting .300/.388/.429 over his last 17 games. He's also batting .421 with 3 doubles, 4 walks, no strikeouts versus Wake... Carl Crawford also his the knuckler well, batting .316 in 74 at-bats versus Wakefield.

Bottom Line: On paper, the Sox have the advantage... and they could use a win.