"Adrian Gonzalez missed his first game of the season last night, sitting out the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park with a stiff neck.

Thanks to Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis, the Sox hardly missed the American League leader in batting average and RBI.

Ellsbury went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI in a 6-4 win, which was delayed by rain for 40 minutes in the top of the eighth inning. The All-Star center fielder led off the first inning with his career-high 10th home run and capped a four-run, two-out rally in the fourth with a two-run double.

"He's definitely driving the ball well and seeing the ball well. When he's driving the ball well he's very effective," Youkilis said. "He's having a great approach at the plate and doing a great job of getting on base."

Youkilis, who missed Tuesday's game with back tightness after being hit by a pitch on Monday, slid to first base in Gonzalez' absence. Youkilis filled the void, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles.

"Youk swung the bat very well," Sox manager Terry Francona said. "(Gonzalez is) such a good player but you need to be able to give a guy a day off. But it is nice when the guys that play do a good job. I think it's good for your team."

Tim Wakefield (5-3) earned the win, allowing three runs and striking out seven in seven innings. The knuckleballer gave up three runs in the first three innings, but settled down to finish with four scoreless frame"