'Pedroia the Destroyah' leads comeback over D-backs

Red Sox - 5
Diamondbacks - 4

BL Hero: Dustin Pedroia - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R

Dustin Pedroia is officially in the zone. He hit his 7th home run of the season last night to give the the Red Sox an early 1-0 lead. Then he lead the 8th inning rally with an RBI single and then scored the tying run on Mike Lowell's double.

With Ellsbury struggling at the top of the order, Pedroia has heated up at an opportune time, going 19-43 (.442) with 6 multi-hit games since June 14th. It should also be noted that he is now just one home run shy of his 2007 season total (8) indicating that the little guy with the big swing could crack double digit ding dongs for the first time in his career.

The Sox went down 3-1 in the 3rd when Masterson gave up a 3-run homer to Tracy, but unlike in days past, the offense woke up and fought their way back - a good sign to say the least. Masterson was not so Masterful this time, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks to a team that can pile up the K's... he had 4 on the night, but after looking filthy in his first 4 starts (3-0, 2.59 ERA)... the league may be adjusting to the young righty: 1-1, 4.71 ERA ion last four starts.

The good news? Manny went 2-4... Lugo turned a double play without throwing the ball away... and rookie RP Chris Smith earned his first ML win throwing 2 cleaning innings. After looking great (4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 Ks) while on mop up duty after Matsuzaka's "start" on the 21st - Smith is looking like a go-to guy in an otherwise shaky bullpen...

Bottom Line: The Red Sox needed that win... and they need a few more with Tampa Bay (1 game back) and the Yankees (5.5 back) on deck before the All-Star break...