DETROIT (AP) Tim Wakefield gave up six homers, matching a modern major league record last set 64 years ago, but he wound up with a win because the Boston Red Sox outslugged the Detroit Tigers 11-9 Sunday.
David Ortiz's three-run shot capped a six-run fourth inning, and Kevin Youkilis homered twice to help the Red Sox overcome seven Detroit home runs.
Ivan Rodriguez and Eric Munson each connected twice for the Tigers on an unusual day at spacious Comerica Park. The teams combined for 10 homers, the most in the stadium's five-year history. Detroit's seven homers were the most ever hit by one team at Comerica.
Wakefield (8-6) allowed two homers to Rodriguez and one each to Munson, Craig Monroe, Carlos Pena and Dmitri Young. Yet the knuckleballer left after five innings with a 10-7 lead.
He is the sixth pitcher since 1900 to yield six homers in a game, but the first since George Caster of the Philadelphia Athletics against the Red Sox on Sept. 24, 1940. The others were Larry Benton of the New York Giants (1930), Brooklyn's Hollis Thurston (1932), Wayman Kerksieck of the Philadelphia Phillies (1939) and Al Thomas of the St. Louis Browns (1936).
The previous Red Sox record was five, by Wakefield in 1996 and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley in 1979.
In 1886, Charlie Sweeney of the St. Louis Maroons in the National League gave up seven homers in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Thurston was the last pitcher to give up six homers and win the game, beating the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds on Aug. 13, 1932.
Of course, the most famous home run Wakefield has given up was Aaron Boone's game-winning shot in Game 7 of the AL championship series last October.
Three Red Sox relievers finished, securing Wakefield's third straight win. Keith Foulke pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save in 23 chances.
Wakefield allowed eight hits but did not walk a batter.
Youkilis had four RBIs for Boston, which took two of three in the series. Ortiz, who missed the first game while finishing a five-game suspension, drove in five runs in the two wins.
