When the Boston Red Sox traded away Kevin Youkilis for Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge, it was obvious the key piece in the deal for the local nine was Stewart. He’s also the only player left as Lillibridge was designated for assignment a month and then traded a month after the original trade.

The hope for Stewart was that he’d develop into a starter to complement what the Red Sox had. They sent him to Triple-A to build up his pitch count and decided on Tuesday that he could probably help the Red Sox out with Franklin Morales going to the DL.

Stewart got his first start last night and well it didn’t turn out like everyone hoped. He was tagged for nine runs in three innings as the Red Sox fell to the Angels 10-3 on Wednesday night.

Things were so bad for Stewart by the time the first four batters had taken their hacks, it was 4-0.

• Mike Trout singles
• Torii Hunter doubles in Trout from first, 1-0
• Albert Pujols singles in Hunter, Pujols goes to second on throw, 2-0
• Kendrys Morales hits two-run homer, 4-0

And it didn’t get any better for him.

Hunter knocked in Erick Aybar in the 2nd inning after Aybar had left off the inning with a double that made it 5-0. The onslaught continued in the 3rd.

Morales led off with a double and then it looked like Stewart would pitch himself out of trouble as he retired the next two hitters on groundouts. But Alberto Callaspo doubled in Morales and then he scored on an Aybar double. Rhode Island native Chris Iannetta finished off the offensive drubbing for Stewart with a two-run blast of his own.

Stewart has pitched in the big leagues before with the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox. It sure didn’t look like it one bit last night.

He was severely overmatched as his fastball looked like a batting practice fastball that the Angels hitters took advantage of to the tune of 10 hits.

What I don’t understand is why Bobby Valentine left him in the game. When he gave up all those runs in the 1st, no one came out to talk to him. Same thing in the 3rd inning.

Look, we all know this team isn’t going anywhere this season. I get that. But you have a guy making his organizational big league debut and you leave him out there to get shellacked. How is that going to help Stewart’s confidence going forward. Yes, Valentine doesn’t know much about him but couldn’t he or pitching coach Randy Niemann gone out there and talked to the young righty.

It is one start and you have to hope it was an aberration for Stewart. Although I suspect he might not get a second start for a bit as Daniel Bard is with the team. Bard isn’t there to start but he’s supposed to be activated before tonight’s game so it makes sense to send him back down especially since they just sent Clayton Mortensen down to make room for him.

Given how the pitching has been going lately, you can’t send down Junichi Tazawa since he’s needed when the starters fail. So the likely choice would be Stewart who could help the PawSox out in their final push for an International League playoff spot.

Welcome to the final month and a week of Red Sox baseball. Buckle up folks, it’s going to be a LONG and bumpy ride.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take a look at the overnight links from the media.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Stewart gets hit hard in Sox loss [boston globe]

Bard ready to start over in the bullpen [boston globe]

Epstein’s clean getaway irks owners [boston globe]

Journeyman Zach Stewart rocked in Red Sox debut [boston globe]

Sox defense never rests [boston globe]

This Top 10 not worth any replays [boston globe]

Daniel Bard back in the bigs [boston globe]

Stewart historically bad in latest Sox loss [rob bradford – weei.com]

Dustin Pedroia clears the air while declaring the best is yet to come [rob bradford – weei.com]

Case closed: Alfredo Aceves no longer Red Sox’ closer [clubhouse insider]

Stewart shelled in debut, Red Sox fall to Angels, 10-3 [csn new england]

Bard rejoins Sox, will be activated soon [espn boston]

Stewart rocked in Sox debut as Angels roll [espn boston]

Stewart gets a return trip to Pawtucket [extra bases]

Red Sox’ Season Now Survival of the Fittest as Youngsters and Prospects Experience Growing Pains [nesn.com]

Aviles in limbo as Iglesias gets more playing time [redsox.com]

Hill, Atchison could be part of September mix [redsox.com]

Passing on Joe Mauer a good sign for Sox [touching all the bases]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the ESPN Los Angeles, LA Daily News, LA Times and Orange County Register websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother Monkey With a Halo.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: ap photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies football team as they’ll open up the 2012 season at Rentschler Field against the UMass Minutemen. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised locally in Connecticut on SNY.

If you missed our UMass Minutemen @ UConn Huskies preview, be sure to check it out as it has more information about the television coverage among other things.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

ESPN.com Big East all-conference team [andrea adelson – espn.com]

Sio Moore had help on the way to UConn [andrea adelson – espn.com]

Big East predictions: Week 1 [andrea adelson – espn.com]

What to watch in the Big East: Week 1 [matt fortuna – espn.com]

Zach Hurd placed on IR [jim fuller – new haven register]

Game preview: UMass at UConn [lee lewis – the republican-american]

McCombs: Good, and getting better [john silver – sny]

Showing Up Day In And Day Out [uconnhuskies.com]

Football Home Opener Preview Video [uconnhuskies.com]

Pasqualoni, UConn eager to get season started [ct post]

Previewing the UConn Huskies [ct post]

UConn Football Team Wants Strong Start Against UMass [hartford courant]

Five Things About UConn-UMass [hartford courant]

UMass Football Ready For Division I-A Adventure [hartford courant]

Fans Can’t Wait For UConn Football Season To Kick Off [hartford courant]

One big family picnic [journal inquirer]

Triple threats [journal inquirer]

Instant offense? [journal inquirer]

Perception remains a problem [journal inquirer]

Improved passing game is focus on eve of opener [new haven register]

Stlouis leaves UConn again [the republican-american]

As season opens, Huskies are game for passing [the day]

Have some Husky Hope [uconn daily campus]

UConn, UMass start new rivalry [ap]

Preview: Massachusetts Minutemen at Connecticut Huskies [cbssports.com]

Both parties happy with UMass-UConn game, but renewed rivalry will lay dormant for at least two seasons [springfield republican]

UMass football not alone with a new quarterback against UConn in opener [springfield republican]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Add Erica McCall to list of First Night visitors [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Do not stare directly at Jeremy Lamb’s rookie card [the uconn blog]

Other UConn related links

W. Volleyball. Huskies Gear Up for UConn Classic This Weekend [uconnhuskies.com]

Baseball. Huskies in the Pros Make Playoff Push [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Bogaerts impresses as 19-year-old Red Sox prospect [pawtucket times]

Keury De La Cruz promoted to Salem [soxprospects.com]

The Book: Allen Webster [soxprospects.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox got five in the 9th to beat the Gwinnett Braves 9-4.

PawSox Erupt for Five Runs in the Ninth [pawsox.com]

Five-run ninth pushes Pawtucket past Gwinnett [providence journal]

Barry wins PEN/ESPN Award for “Bottom of the 33rd” Book [pawsox.com]

Huntzinger Joins PawSox in Georgia [pawsox.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox @ Gwinnett Braves 8.29.12 box score [milb.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs managed just two hits in a 7-0 loss to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Portland Offense Shutout in Loss to New Hampshire [portlandseadogs.com]

Sea Dogs show no bark [portland press herald]

Portland Sea Dogs @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats 8.29.12 box score [milb.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2012 stats

Eastern League 2012 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

Drew Hedman’s two-run walkoff homer in the 10th gave Salem an 8-6 win over the Frederick Keys.

Hedman’s Blast Wins It! Salem Prevails 8-6 in 10 [salemredsox.com]

Hedman blast boosts Salem Red Sox over Frederick Keys [roanoke times]

Frederick Keys @ Salem Red Sox 8.29.12 box score [milb.com]

Salem Red Sox 2012 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2012 stats

Carolina League 2012 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

The Drive got a run in the 10th to beat the Kannapolis Intimidators 5-4.

Drive Edge Intimidators in 10 Innings [oursports central]

Greenville Drive @ Kannapolis Intimidators 8.29.12 box score [milb.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

Spinners pitching held the Vermont Lake Monsters to three hits in a 6-0 win.

Offense Arrives, Pitching Dominates in Win, 6-0 [lowellspinners.com]

August to remember [lowell sun]

Vermont Lake Monsters @ Lowell Spinners 8.29.12 box score [milb.com]

Lowell Spinners 2012 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2012 stats

NY-Penn League 2012 Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox fell to the GCL Pirates 5-2 in game one of the GCL Championship.

Herrera powers Pirates in Game 1 [milb.com]

GCL Red Sox @ GCL Pirates 8.29.12 game 1 GCL Championship box score [milb.com]

GCL Red Sox 2012 Roster

GCL Red Sox 2012 stats

Gulf Coast League 2012 Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

After falling 6-5 last night, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track tonight in the middle game of a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Royals television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports West. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

After coming over in the Kevin Youkilis trade a few months ago, Zach Stewart will make his Red Sox debut tonight. Stewart made 18 appearances (one start) for the Chicago White Sox this season and was 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA. He has not faced the Angels this season and has made one career start against them. That start came last year in Anaheim when he took the loss after allowing seven earned runs in six innings of work.

C.J. Wilson makes his 28th start of 2012 for the Angels. In his previous 27 starts, Wilson is 9-9 with a 3.83 ERA. His lone start against the Red Sox this season came in his last time out when he picked up a no decision after allowing seven runs (six earned) in five innings of work. Wilson has made 18 career appearances (six starts) against the Red Sox and is 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA and three saves.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are today’s lineups:

62-68		67-62
1. Pedro Ciriaco	3B	1. Mike Trout	CF
2. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	2. Torii Hunter	RF
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Albert Pujols	DH
4. Cody Ross	RF	4. Kendrys Morales	1B
5. Ryan Lavarnway	C	5. Mark Trumbo	LF
6. Mauro Gomez	1B	6. Howie Kendrick	2B
7. Mike Aviles	DH	7. Alberto Callaspo	3B
8. Jose Iglesias	SS	8. Erick Aybar	SS
9. Scott Podsednik	LF	9. Chris Iannetta	C
Zach Stewart	SP	C.J. Wilson	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

NOTES: As you can see from the lineup, Stewart has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. Clayton Mortensen has been optioned to the PawSox to make room for Stewart. Daniel Bard is with the team and is expected to be activated on Thursday.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Time to be ‘the man’ [boston herald]

Jose Iglesias back in show [boston herald]

Bard: ‘It’s good to be back’ with Red Sox [rob bradford – weei.com]

Getting to know Zach Stewart [clubhouse insider]

Daniel Bard on rejoining Red Sox: ‘I kind of lost the pitcher I was’ [clubhouse insider]

Where do Red Sox go for power? [csn new england]

Bard: ‘I’m a reliever; I think that’s all I know right now’ [csn new england]

Source: Red Sox not making run at Mauer [espn boston]

Zach Stewart makes Sox debut against Angels [espn boston]

Valentine flares when asked about umpire’s call [espn boston]

Josh Beckett’s spin is another wild pitch [extra bases]

ESPN’s new deal with MLB and what it means for the Red Sox [extra bases]

Zach Stewart gets his chance tonight [extra bases]

Pedroia, the horse, wins a race at Suffolk Downs [extra bases]

Jacoby Ellsbury Carrying Red Sox as Boston Looks to Grab Wins on West Coast [nesn.com]

Joe Mauer Sounds Like a Nice Option, But Red Sox Should Steer Clear Going Forward [nesn.com]

Report: Daniel Bard Joins Red Sox in Los Angeles, Expected to Be Activated on Thursday [nesn.com]

Ryan Lavarnway, Mauro Gomez, Jose Iglesias All in Lineup as Red Sox Let Prospects Play [nesn.com]

And batting cleanup . . . [projo sox blog]

Westmoreland working toward ‘getting back to normal quality of life’ [projo sox blog]

Are Sox fans loyal? Or lemmings? [projo sox blog]

Who’ll have a weaker starting lineup Wednesday night? [projo sox blog]

Stewart excited to join Boston’s rotation [projo sox blog]

Red Sox set rotation for weekend [projo sox blog]

Bard back with Red Sox [projo sox blog]

With Iglesias in majors, Aviles’ role undefined [projo sox blog]

Questions about umpires prompts Valentine rant [projo sox blog]

Aceves’ struggles something of a mystery [projo sox blog]

Bobby V: Won’t ‘insult’ Sox with 2013 inquiries [alex speier – weei.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: getty images, getty images

BOSTON, MA (August 28, 2012) – The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) announces its inaugural event, NVRQT Night, on Monday, September 24 at House of Blues Boston.  The event will be hosted by Red Sox Pitcher Jon Lester and wife Farrah, with actor Mike O’Malley as the emcee.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the inaugural NVRQT Night,” says Jon Lester, Spokesperson for NVRQT. “The foundation supports such a great cause that Farrah and I are proud to be a part of.”

NVRQT Night will entail a number of attractions including, “3 Up, 3 Down”, a Hollywood Squares style game featuring national celebrities and various Boston sports stars as the squares. There will also be live and silent auctions as well as entertainment by musical guest, Universal Republic Records recording artist, Will Dailey. The evening is sponsored by major organizations such as People’s United Bank, Covidien, Mohegan Sun, JetBlue Airways and Transamerica and produced by Altus Marketing & Management, LLC.

The event begins at 6pm for VIP guests and 7pm for General Admission; with tickets ranging from $250 to $100 per person, which can be purchased at www.pcrf-kids.org. For more information, please contact PCRF at 949-859-6312 or visit www.NVRQT.org.

About NVRQT

NVRQT is the rally cry, cause and mantra in thefight against pediatric cancer. This fundraising arm of the PCRF is on a mission to raise awareness and funding for the research that is being conducted to find a cure for children’s cancer. For its first season, NVRQT partnered with Jon Lester by creating a campaign focused on his fight against cancer. For more information and to donate to NVRQT, log on to www.facebook.com/NVRQT or followus on Twitter at @NVRQT31.

About PCRF

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), is an independent, non-profit organization, wholly dedicated to supporting the highest quality pediatric cancer research.  Established in 1982, our founders – parents, doctors, friends, and community leaders had a common vision “To bring hope and lifesaving treatments to children battling cancer, and improve the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with malignant diseases.”  Since 1982 we have raised almost $30 million dollars in support of laboratory research that translates into immediate treatment for children with cancer. More information is available at www.pcrf-kids.org.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

When Boston Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine suspended Alfredo Aceves last week, it was because he threw a hissy fit after being passed over for Andrew Bailey in a save situation. So with Aceves returning from suspension last night, we still didn’t have a clue as to whether or not he’d be given another chance or if Bailey, the man they acquired for the closer’s role this season before an injury ruined that, would be the closer going forward.

Well, Aceves was given the opportunity to close out last night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and like the last time he pitched, the results were the same. He blew the lead and the game giving the Angels a 6-5 walkoff win over the visiting nine from Boston.

Given a 5-4 lead to hold on to, this is how his 9th inning went last night.

• Retired leadoff hitter Maicer Izturis
• hit Erick Aybar with a pitch
• Aybar steals second before a walk to pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo
• Mike Trout singles to bring in Aybar with Callaspo going to third base
• Torii Hunter hits sac fly setting off a frenzy on the field in Anaheim

That folks is the anatomy of a blown save.

I’d have to think going forward as the Red Sox play out the rest of the 2012 season that Bailey gets all the save chances going forward. After all, that’s why they gave up Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantara.

Clay Buchholz started this one last night for the Red Sox and wasn’t great. He wasn’t bad either. If we were take one thing from his start, it’s the fact that he was able to go seven innings. Since returning from the disabled list on July 14th, he’s gone at least seven innings in seven of his nine starts. The only two he hasn’t gone that far were his first start back and last start against the Angels.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was a big part of the Red Sox offense on Tuesday night as he knocked in two runs. The first one came on a solo home run in the 2nd and an RBI single in the 4th. James Loney, back on the west coast three days after the big trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, knocked in his third run with a single in the 4th as well.

Jacoby Ellsbury added two hits last night and his 10th stolen base of the season as he hit out of the three spot in the lineup. It remains to be seen whether or not Ellsbury is part of the plans for next season though.

He’ll be in his final arbitration year and with Scott Boras as his agent, you know he’ll be getting a big pay day. Whether the Red Sox want to give it to him remains to be seen. One thing’s for certain, we know they have the money to do it.

It wouldn’t surprise me to hear his name come up in trade rumors over the offseason. It also wouldn’t surprise me if the Red Sox don’t move him and milk every ounce of baseball out of him next year and at the very least come away with compensation draft picks if he decides to leave.

I think in the end, no matter if Boras is his agent, that it comes down to whether or not Ellsbury wants to play in Boston for the long run or does he want to Chase Greener pastures.

Whatever the case may be, he needs to stay healthy. Given how much time he missed this year, it would also be nice to see him finish out the season on a strong note.

And it appears he’s on that course.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take a look at the overnight links from the media.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

A mix of relief and reality [boston globe]

Loney free, easy [boston globe]

Morales to DL; Stewart gets a start [boston globe]

Alfredo Aceves melts again [boston herald]

Despite loss, Sox still playing to win [boston herald]

Red Sox no match for Mike Trout [boston herald]

Josh Beckett explains how (and why) he found himself leaving Boston [rob bradford – weei.com]

Aceves blows save in return as Sox lose to Angels, 6-5 [csn new england]

Valentine: Aceves’ extra work due to lack of options [csn new england]

Iglesias makes first start of season for Sox [csn new england]

Rapid reaction: Angels 6, Red Sox 5 [espn boston]

Closing Time: Ace’d out — Alfredo Aceves blows save in return as Angels walk off past Red Sox [full count]

Mazz’s Top 5 most detestable Red Sox teams [tony massarotti – boston globe]

Next Red Sox manager needs to command respect [tony massarotti – boston globe]

Bobby Valentine, Red Sox Look for Positives in Bizarre, Frustrating Ride of Season [nesn.com]

Aceves reinstated, but appears to lose closer’s role [redsox.com]

Shoulder inflammation lands Morales on DL [redsox.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the LA Daily News, LA Times and Orange County Register websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother Monkey With a Halo.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: ap photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Highlights From Coach Paul Pasqualoni Pre-UMass Presser [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Kashif Moore En Route To Indianapolis [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Paul Pasqualoni talks a little about naming of captains [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuesday teleconference [john silver – sny]

SNY Is Your Television Home For UConn Football In 2012 [uconnhuskies.com]

Connecticut Opens 2012 Season Against Massachusetts Thursday Night [bigeast.org]

Christen, UConn’s new kicker, has field experience on his side [ct post]

UConn football notebook: Tough choices for captains [ct post]

Colts pick up Moore, Raiders waive Hurd in UConn NFL news [ct post]

Pasqualoni Talks About Task Of Picking Captains [hartford courant]

Theory Of Evolution: In Second Year, Don Brown’s Defense Should Straighten Out [hartford courant]

Year II? Same Point Of View: Paul Pasqualoni’s Second Season At UConn [hartford courant]

At 100, Joe McCormick Believed To Be Oldest Living UConn Football Player [hartford courant]

Looking Back At 2011 Season [hartford courant]

Ranking the Big East football stadiums [usa today]

UMass Football Coach Charley Molnar: ‘No Pressure, Just Excitement’ For FBS Debut [cbs boston]

UConn Football 2012 Preview: Huskies Try To Put The Pieces Together [sb nation]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Expect A Nice New Deal For Geno Auriemma Soon [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Up Next For UConn’s Geno Auriemma? How About A New Contract [hartford courant]

Former UConn women’s basketball player is First Friday artist [indianapolis star]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Notes/Quotes from Gampel: “It probably won’t fully heal for anywhere between 5-6 weeks.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Calhoun more eager to talk about Huskies than his own health [ct post]

Calhoun making progress [the day]

Setbacks, uncertainty at UConn not likely to tarnish storied program [si.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Cross Country. Women’s Cross Country Prepares For 2012 Season [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Rowing. Rowing To Hold Walk-On Information Meetings [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.