A splitting headache and an empty stomach were sapping Tim Wakefield's strength, but the veteran knuckleballer still found some magic when he needed it most.

Wakefield worked his way out of a jam in his seventh and final inning to keep the game tied as the Boston Red Sox edged the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in 12 innings on Tuesday. "It's huge for this team to gain some momentum going into this series," said Wakefield. "We just kept battling and battling and we were able to come out on top."

A severe migraine kept Wakefield from eating all day, but didn't slow him down on the mound. In seven innings he allowed one run on six hits, walking none and striking out seven.

"I have to commend him, he threw the ball great tonight," said catcher Doug Mirabelli.

Toronto's manager Carlos Tosca said it's never a treat to face the fluttering knuckleballer.

"What makes it difficult is you can't do anything against that guy, the ball bounces around so much," said Tosca.

The Jays scratched out a run in the first when Carlos Delgado drove in Shannon Stewart. But Wakefield clamped down after that, giving up just two hits, both singles, in his next five frames.

With the score tied 1-1 thanks to a home run by Mirabelli, Delgado led off the seventh with a single and went to third on a base hit by Greg Myers. But Wakefield struck out Eric Hinske, then got Reed Johnson to bounce into a fielder's choice as the Red Sox caught Delgado in a rundown. Orlando Hudson ended the threat by grounding out to first.

"What Wakefield did in that inning was the turning point," said Boston manager Grady Little. "They could have put the game out of reach right there."

Wakefield had no explanation for his escape.

"I don't know. Magic, I guess," he said. "When Reed Johnson was batting (Mirabelli) came to the mound and said we need to get a ground ball here. I was able to induce the ground ball and we were able to get Delgado leaning too far off third."

Delgado had two hits against Wakefield, but said it was tough to adjust back to regular pitching once the knuckleballer departed and Boston went to the bullpen.

"You have to change your approach and realize, you're not facing 70 anymore, you're probably facing a guy who throws 94, 95," said Delgado. "Sometimes it changes the whole timing."