By looking at Tim Wakefield’s statistics, one would swear that the Red Sox pitcher was off to one of the best starts of his storied career.
The knuckleballer has held left-handed hitters to a .167 batting average, limited the opposition to a paltry .133 average with two outs and runners in scoring position, and owned a 2.20 ERA over his last four starts.
When you add up the numbers, however, the sum is simply three straight losses and a giant headache.
Wakefield’s season of frustration took another unwanted step last night, when personal catcher Josh Bard committed four passed balls, leading to a pair of unearned runs and a 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field.
“I’ve said it before, his pitching line is skewed because he’s pitched pretty well,” manager Terry Francona said. “We haven’t scored when he’s pitched but that will change. The good part is he’s throwing the ball well. He has to keep plugging away, which he will, and he’ll get rewarded for it.”

Wakefield (1-4) allowed three earned runs on five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings, while striking out three, but was once again victimized by Bard’s continued difficulties catching his unpredictable pitch. Taking over the job after Doug Mirabelli’s four-plus seasons as Wakefield’s catcher, Bard came within one passed ball of tying Jason Varitek’s club record of five (catching Wakefield on May 28, 1999) and two of the MLB record held by three catchers.
“I’m not down on him,” said Wakefield, who lost in Cleveland for the first time since Sept. 13, 1999. “He’s not the reason I’m losing, so get off him right now.”
Indians starting pitcher Cliff Lee (2-1) held the Sox to only one run on four hits in six innings, while striking out seven and stranding five runners, including three in scoring position. The left-hander left the bases loaded in the third inning by striking out David Ortiz and allowed his only run in the fourth, when Wily Mo Pena lined a homer over the right field wall. Boston was otherwise confounded by Lee.

Little has gone right for Wakefield since picking up his sole win on April 9 in Baltimore and last night was no exception. He tossed a complete game but received no offensive support in a 3-0 loss to Joel Pineiro and Seattle. Last Thursday, he tossed eight strong innings against Tampa Bay but received scant support once again in a 5-1 defeat.

“I feel every time out, he’s given us a chance to win but we haven’t done a good job for him,” Bard, who has 10 passed balls on the season, said. “It’s frustrating and disappointing but things are going to turn around.”

Wakefield had only himself to blame, however, for falling behind early. After Lee set down the side in order in the top of the first, he allowed Cleveland’s first three batters to reach - capped by Jhonny Peralta belting a fastball for a three-run homer.

The Sox never recovered and passed balls led to individual unearned runs in the fourth and sixth innings before Cleveland tacked on two in the eighth against reliever Manny Delcarmen.

“This team’s going to score runs,” Wakefield said of his lineup. “I’m not worried about that. It’s just a matter of time before they put it together.”