G81: Red Sox 7, Astros 5

Red Sox  - 100 000 600 - 7  8  0
Astros   - 120 011 000 - 5 13  0

Marco Scutaro began the game with a home run -- and the Red Sox did not get their second hit of the night until the seventh inning, when ...

Drew singled to CF
Saltalamacchia singled to RF
Reddick single to LF, RBI, 2-5
Escalona relieved Norris (6-4-4-4-10, 106)
Sutton singled to SS, RBI, 3-5
McDonald (PH for Wheeler) hit by pitch
Lopez relieved Escalona
Scutaro struck out swinging
Pedroia singled to RF, 2 RBI, 5-5
Gonzalez doubled to LCF wall, 2 RBI, 7-5
Youkilis F9
Drew 3U

Boston had the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings, but Scutaro GIDP to end the former and after three walks in the ninth, Reddick grounded out 3-1 to end the later.

Pedroia's at-bat in the seventh is worth noting. He took a 2-1 pitch from Wilton Lopez that was low and away. It was in the exact same place as balls 1 and 2, but home plate umpire Laz Diaz called it strike two. Diaz and Pedroia exchanged several words as FY got ready for the next pitch. Pedroia drilled it past first baseman Brett Wallace and down the right field line. While sprinting to first base, Pedroia turned around and yelled back at Diaz. Once he was at first, he yelled again at the home plate ump. I'm not sure I have seen a batter continue an argument with the HP ump while running out a hit.

Pedroia disagrees with the call.

NESN shows that Strike 2 was the in exact same spot as Ball 1 and Ball 2.

Pedroia lines the 2-2 pitch to right field.

He runs down the first base line...

...and turns back to yell at Diaz.

And two pitches later, after sliding across the plate on Adrian Gonzalez's double, Pedroia got up and stomped his foot on home plate, to emphasize that he had scored, as Diaz presumably stared daggers at him.

Tim Wakefield/ Bud Norris

A couple of connection between the two teams: Astros manager Brad Mills was Terry Francona's bench coach for six years (2004-09), and Houston's third baseman Chris Johnson is the son of Boston's first base coach, Ron Johnson.

Carl Crawford is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Sunday - and was hoping to be able to play in his hometown - but Francona says that's unrealistic.

Norris is a 26-year-old right-hander, and is in his third season with the Astros.

AL East: Yankees/Mets and Cardinals/Rays at 7 PM.