Maybe it's because I lack an extensive vocabulary, but it seems impossible to put into words what I've just seen. This is going to be a long one, but after a game like this, how could it not be.

                In a first inning that featured a  1-2-3 top half by rookie pitcher Charlie Zinc, and a ten run offensive bottom half capped by David Ortiz's second 3 run homer of the INNING, it appeared that the route was on and not even Chuck Norris him self would be able to save the Texas Rangers.

                But then it happened. For anyone who hasn't heard Texas can hit. Trouble began in the top of the fifth when things were still looking good for Zinc to pick up his first win. Then the Rangers were able to string together some singles and doubles. Throw in some controversy on a fly ball that center fielder Coco Crisp catches and drops on the transfer (ruled a no catch and scored as a double somehow). Mix it in with some  Terry Francona making the mistake of sticking with Charlie in hopes to help him pick up his first ever victory.  Add a pinch of David AArdsma giving up the big fly to Ian Kinsler, and oh boy, we've got a brand new ball game.

                Well sort of. Boston would escape from the inning holding a two run lead and go on to put up two more in the bottom half after a disputed double call after David Ortiz appeared to put one out to deep center, but was called fan interference by the officiating crew, ruining his chance to become Mr. August. No worries, Kevin Youkilis would make it a moot point by homering, a no doubter, to center field.

                But hang on, here comes Texas. Putting up a five spot in the sixth to take a one run lead. In the inning Youkilis found himself right in the mix of it (as he would all night), by committing a rare error at first diving for a ball to his right, which then ricocheted  to Dustin Pedroia who threw high to home, only to have Frank Catalonnato  slide across safely for the tying run.  Kinsler would later hit a sac fly to give the Rangers their first lead of the game.

                It was looking pretty grim for the Red Sox. Like they were going to blow a ten run, first inning lead, and suffer a very deflating loss. But the eighth inning was by far the most defining inning for the new-look Sox.

                Coco crisp popped out to center to begin with off of reliever Frank Francisco. Jacoby Ellsbury pinch hit for Kevin Cash, the only member of the Sox starting nine without a hit, and walked on four straight pitches. After J.D. Drew was unable to advance Jacoby up stepped MVP candidate (at least I'm campaigning for him) Dustin Pedroia, who already had four hits and had been on base five times.

He ripped a two strike curveball off the wall in right for a double and Ellsbury turned the jets and scored all the way from first. And then came the biggest challenge since the trade of Manny Ramirez.

Something we all knew was bound to happen; Papi was intentionally walked with the absence of Manny hitting behind him.

Well, let this be a lesson to the rest of the American League, Kevin Youkilis is up for the challenge. The Youker got ahead in the count 2-0 and sat on a 96 mph Francisco fast ball. Into the monster seats it went, and Youk, all kinds of excited, almost lapped Papi running around the bases.

Papelbon would eventually shut the door for his 32 save on what was one of the craziest nights at the ball park any of us will ever see.

Game notes-

Now, I'm not friends with anyone at The Elias Sports Bureau, but I'd like to know the last time, if ever, a player has struck out twice in one inning as Kevin Youkilis did, only to come back and have two home runs, one of which was the go ahead game winner in the eighth inning.

But I do know this thanks to various media outlets available to me. There was no pitching in this game, my eyes actually showed me that, yet 400 pitches were thrown total.

                 The 36 runs combined by both teams were an American League record, one would have to assume Texas was involved in one that was close to it, as they put up 30 runs on there own last year in a game against Baltimore.

It was the most runs the Rangers had ever scored and lost. Coincidently it was the most runs the Red Sox had ever given up and still won.

With every at bat Jed Lowrie takes, it makes me say Julio who?

Mike Lowell had to leave the game with what is being called a right oblique strain. It is unknown at this point what will become of this, but the Sox do have some options.  They can split time at third between Youkilis and Lowrie. This will in turn result in more playing time for both Alex Cora and Sean Casey.

The Red Sox do have Minor league options with first basemen Jeff Bailey and third baseman Keith Ginter. But if Lowell were to go on the DL I would imagine the Sox would take the opportunity to put another arm in the bullpen, especially given the fact they Mike Timlin and Justin Masterson were the only ones not used tonight. Masterson threw 3 innings two day's ago in Chicago.

Charlie Zinc got the no decision in this contest but will never forget this night. He will be optioned to Triple A Pawtucket tomorrow to make room for Paul Byrd.