A Crazy Night at The Yard; O's Lose To Red Sox, 6-5

It was a close, sometimes crazy, thrilling contest, but when the dust settled, the Boston Red Sox emerged victorious over the Baltimore Orioles, 6-5, to open up a three game weekend set.

A nearly full house at Camden Yards – the crowd was numbered at 44,901 – nearly the majority of fans rooting for the Red Sox saw incredible defense and the long ball take center stage,

Kevin Youkilis’ homer – a two-run shot that gave the Red Sox a 6-5 lead -- off Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie in the seventh inning made the difference on the evening. Guthrie (7-10), who gave up three home runs, took the loss and gave up six runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

John Smoltz (2-4), who started the game on the mound for Boston, earned his second win of the season as he went six innings and gave up five runs. Smoltz was not pretty at all on the mound; however, his offense came through when he needed it and that made the difference. Jonathan Papelbon earned the save, his 27th and 23 saves in 24 chances against Baltimore.

Boston scored first as Nick Green made the score 1-0 as he drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and an inning later, David Ortiz raised the score to 3-0 as he hit his 15th homer of the year – a two run shot.

Baltimore scored three times in the bottom of the third inning as Nick Green’s error allowed a run to come through, and then Nolan Reimold hit an opposite field two-run homer – his 10th – to the game. Terry Francona and the Red Sox tried to argue the call as Reimold’s home run seemed to hit the top of the fence; nevertheless, the umpires met to review the play, and minutes later, the original call was upheld.

The Red Sox made the score 4-3, as Jacoby Ellsbury hit a solo home run – his 6th; however, Baltimore took the lead back in the sixth inning as Aubrey Huff hit his 12th homer – a two run shot and 200th of his career – that put them up 6-5.

The play of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Huff hit his home run, Luke Scott seemed to follow up with a shot of his own that was aimed a little above the Southwest Airlines sign in center field. However, out of nowhere, the speedy Ellsbury left over the wall and robbed Scott off a sure home run.

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