So, after an 0-6 start, the Red Sox finish the unofficial first half of the season with the best record in the American League. Impressive.
On Sunday, rookie Kyle Weiland was driven up Interstate 95 from Pawtucket to face the mighty O's. They actually seemed mighty for a while, scratching out 6 runs in the second inning to take a 6-2 advantage. But, in the bottom of the second, Boston used 3 HRs (Scutaro, Pedroia, Youkilis) to tie the game at 6. A bases loaded walk to Big Papi pushed the Sox ahead to stay, as Alfredo Aceves rescued Weiland with three innings of hitless ball. The Sox ended up on top, 8-6.
A fluky Empire win in Baghdad-on-the-Hudson leaves the Sox one full game up on the Evil Ones at the break. Only the Phillies have won more games than the Red Sox (57 versus 55). Considering all that's gone on this year with the starting pitching, we are in a very good spot.