Tim Wakefield's pitching line didn't qualify him for a quality start, but considering what the Red Sox needed from him one night after another Keith Foulke implosion, it was virtually perfect.

With the bullpen running on fumes due to constant use and Foulke preparing to head home to have his balky knees examined, Wakefield provided exactly what the Sox required of him in a 7-4 victory over the Texas Rangers last night at Ameriquest Field.

Bolstered by the offensive support of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, Wakefield (8-6) pitched eight strong innings, allowing four runs on eight scattered hits, while striking out five batters to ensure there were no lasting repercussions from Foulke's Monday night meltdown.

Even though a pitcher must surrender three-or-fewer runs in six-or-more innings to qualify for a quality start, there wasn't a soul in the visitors clubhouse that didn't consider the effort top notch.

"If you want to be a good major league team, you can't let setbacks like (Monday) night carry over," manager Terry Francona said. "I thought it was a huge effort. Wake knew going in that our bullpen arms had been used a lot."

With Foulke unavailable, Mike Timlin wrapped up the win in an efficient manner, retiring the side in order in the ninth on only six pitches to earn his second save. Johnny Damon made a diving catch of Gary Matthews' one-out flare to shallow center field to make sure the dangerous heart of the Texas order didn't come to the plate.

"It was just another inning," Timlin said. "I was proud of Wake. That's the whole story."

The win, which followed losses in five of the previous seven games, increased the Sox' lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East to a season-high 3 games.

Wakefield, who improved to 4-0 with a 1.70 ERA in his last five starts, recorded his 122nd win with the Sox, tying him with Luis Tiant for fourth on the club's all-time list, only one behind Mel Parnell in third.

"I'm honored to have that kind of distinction but I also feel honored to have been here as long as I have," Wakefield said. "I had a lot of help from the offense tonight. When you get that kind of a lead, it makes my job easier. Team-wise, it's a great win after what happened (Monday) night and knowing the circumstances with the bullpen."

Ramirez and Ortiz combined for two homers, six RBI and three runs scored to give Wakefield a comfortable cushion. Ramirez moved one step closer to Lou Gehrig in the history books in the third inning by belting his 20th career grand slam, while Ortiz provided a lead that wouldn't be relinquished by clobbering a two-run homer off Chris Young (8-5) in the first.

"We're swinging the bat pretty good and providing some runs for our pitchers," Ortiz said. "We wanted to give some time off to the bullpen."

Ortiz (20) and Ramirez (22) joined Rangers sluggers Mark Teixeira (22) and Alfonso Soriano (20) as the only teammates this year with at least 20 homers apiece. Ortiz (70) and Ramirez (77) also reached 70 RBI apiece before the All-Star break for the second consecutive season.

"When the middle of our order comes up with men on base, we feel good," Francona said. "It puts pitchers in a tough spot."