Red Sox Burst Late in 6 Run 7th Inning (47-34)

This was a great game, it looked like a certain loss up until the 7th inning, when the Sox scored 6 runs to get back in it. Marco Scutaro (right) led off the game in a big way, crushing a home run over the left field wall on the 5th pitch of the game. However, the Astros tied it back up in the bottom of the 1st on a sacrifice fly by Hunter Pence. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Astros came through again on an RBI single for Angel Sanchez (former Red Sox) and a double by Hunter Pence to make it 3-1. In the bottom of the 5th, an RBI double by Carlos Lee made it 4-1. In the 6th, the Astros pitcher Bud Norris singled on a line to left, scoring a run and making it 5-1 Astros. In the top of the 7th, it all changed as the Sox put runners at first and second to start the inning. Josh Reddick doubled on a ball down the right field line to make it 5-2. Then, Drew Sutton hit a hard groundball at the shortstop Clint Barmes, who missed it, scoring a run and making it 5-3. The Red Sox then loaded the bases, preparing for Dustin Pedroia's big hit, a 2-run single down the right field line to make it 5-5. In the nextat-bat, Adrian Gonzalez crushed a ball of the left-center wall, in Fenway it would've been gone, in any other ballpark, it would've been gone, but in Minute Maid Park, it was a 2-run double to make it 7-5.

Tim Wakefield was not good, allowing 5 runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He got a no-decision and is now 4-3/4.82/33, as the knuckler wasn't working. The bullpen was perfect, as Dan Wheeler (2/3 of an inning, plus the win), Matt Albers (2/3), Franklin Morales (1/3), Daniel Bard (1), and Jonathan Papelbon (1 plus the save) all pitched last night. Marco Scutaro had that big leadoff home run, despite only going 1-5, as he is now .275/3/14. Dustin Pedroia (left)

went 1-3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored, all of them very important runs. Adrian Gonzalez only went 1-5, but his hit was huge, a big 2-run double, his 72nd and 73rd RBIs of the year. Josh Reddick had another great day at 2-4 with a run and RBI, as he is on a tear, now batting .450, this kid's for real. Drew Sutton went 1-2 with a run and an RBI, despite playing sub-par left field (he's an infielder). Tonight, at 6:05, Andrew Miller (1-0/3.09/10) and J.A. Happ (3-9/5.54/77) will battle.

Bright Spots:

The Red Sox Bullpen- 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits

Dustin Pedroia- 1-3 with a run and 2 RBIs, a very big hit

Adrian Gonzalez- despite going 1-5, his one hit was huge

Josh Reddick- 2-4 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:

Tim Wakefield- the Sox won the game, no thanks to him, as he allowed 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings

Kevin Youkilis- 0-4 with 3 strikeouts

This was a fantastic game, it seemed bleak for much of the game, but the Sox turned it around. Also, that was Game #81, the halfway point in the season, they are 47-34, on pace for a 94-68 season, however, they had some tough times in the first half, 0-6, 2-10; so, I hope my prediction of 98-64 is more realistic.