updated 6:51 p.m. ET Sept. 3, 2008

BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox sold out 96-year-old Fenway Park for the 455th consecutive regular season game on Wednesday, tying the Cleveland Indians' Major League Baseball record.

"I have not seen anything but sellouts since I've been here,'' Boston manager Terry Francona said. "Think about it: That's unbelievable. That's the norm. I hope we don't ever get in a situation where we take it for granted. I know our organization doesn't.''

Francona's first season as Red Sox manager was in 2004, when the team won its first World Series in 86 years.

The consecutive sellout streak started on May 15, 2003, when Pedro Martinez faced Alex Rodriguez and the Texas Rangers. The defending World Series champions will break it against American League East-leading Tampa Bay in their next home game next week.

Cleveland set the mark at Jacobs Field from June 12, 1995 to April 2, 2001, winning two AL pennants during that span.

Ironically, Fenway Park was only about half-filled for the 5-4 afternoon win against Baltimore, though attendance figures are based on tickets sold.

Fenway has the smallest seating capacity in MLB, just 36,984 for day games when two sections of the center-field bleachers are covered with black material to help the hitters' background. It seats 37,400 for night games.

The attendance was 37,373 for Wednesday, the 67th sellout this season.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Dodgers offer arbitration to Manny, Lowe Angels offer arbitration to Teixeira, K-Rod Blue Jays offer arbitration to Burnett Yankees decline arbitration with all free agents   Opinion: Yankees missing their closer, Joe Torre Hampton reportedly will sign with Astros Red Sox set to sign Japanese right-hander Rockies offer arbitration to closer Brian Fuentes Mariners offer OF Raul Ibanez arbitration Expert: Padres have no choice but to deal Peavy Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: