Game 81: Sox 7 Stros 5

It wasn't pretty but it was a run. It was looking like the Sox would drop the first game of the series to the lowly Astros as the good guys were down 5-1 going into the 7th. But the difference between the big payroll teams and the small payroll teams is middle relief. Sox jump once starter Bud Norris took a seat and scored 6 runs in the 7th for the win.

Wakefield looked very mediocre giving up 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings on 11 (eleven!) hits. Wheeler got the win by finishing the sixth for Wake. Albers and Morales shared the 7th inning, Bard dominated in the 8th, and Papelbon got the save in the 9th.

Norris looked dominant against the Sox batters getting 10 Ks and only one hit (a home run by Scutaro to lead off the game) in 6 innings. The only thing the Sox did well was get that pitch count up. In the 7th inning, Norris finally tired and the Sox got three hits to start the inning and chase Norris. The "relief" allowed all of the inherited runners to score plus three more. No big hits; just a lot of singles and doubles. Youkilis was the only non-pitcher starter to go without a hit.

I've got three more games to catch up after the long weekend. Looking forward to getting the eyewitness account from Dad. He went to all three games with my brother and it sounds like he had awesome seats over the weekend.