MLB: Boston 1, Atlanta 0

ATLANTA, June 27 (UPI) -- Tim Wakefield surrendered three hits in six scoreless innings Saturday, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 1-0 inter-league win over Atlanta.

Wakefield (10-3) used his best knuckle ball this season to fluster Atlanta hitters in just 88 pitches, 59 for strikes. He improved his career record to 174-148, 18 wins short of Roger Clemens and Cy Young for most Red Sox franchise victories.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon, the last of four Boston pitchers, earned his 18th save despite putting on the potential tying run when Garret Anderson hit a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth.

The game's lone run scored on Mark Kotsay's two-out sixth-inning single. Kevin Youkilis had a run and two hits for the Red Sox, who have won two in a row and six of seven.

Gregor Blanco had two of the four hits for the Braves, who have lost four straight.

Losing pitcher Javier Vazquez (5-7) yielded a run and six hits in 7 2/3 innings with three walks and eight strikeouts.