Curt Schilling pitches six decent innings for the Red Sox, allowing eight hits and two runs. But with a 3-2 lead, Francona batted for Schilling in the top of the seventh. Three relievers, however, gave up a walk and two hits, the last being a three-run homer by Jeff Francoeur to put the Braves up 5-3. He's driven in four of the Braves five runs tonight, and gives him 52 on the year.

This is Francoeur's 70th game of the season, the same number he played last year. He has many fewer doubles, half the number of walks but one more homer and seven more RBI.

Update: Youkilis hits a two-run homer to extend the lead to 9-5. The inning isn't over and the Braves are bringing in their third reliever of the frame.

Update: The Braves bullpen does a worse job. With Smoltz out of the game, McBride gets the first two batters out, then gives up two walks and a single. Paronto comes in and gives up two doubles to Lowell and Cora to give the lead back to Boston 7-5. According to the telecast, it's the fifth time the Braves blew a lead for Smoltz.

Update: Coming into tonight's game, Braves relievers pitched 30 innings in John Smoltz starts, gave up 34 hits and 20 earned runs for a 6.00 ERA. They also walked 23 and struck out 17. That's all getting worse tonight.

Update: The inning finally ends. Eight straight men reach for Boston after there are two outs. Manny Ramirez get the distinction of making two outs in the innings. The Red Sox score six and lead 9-5.

Update: We may be here all night. Timlin comes in to pitch the eighth and gets two outs, but gives up four hits and two runs. The Jones boys are on base and Jon Papelbon is in the game.

Update: McCann hits Papelbon's first pitch for a fly out to left. The Red Sox lead 9-7 after eight innings.