I’m going to have to be brief this morning as I’m sitting in the terminal at Bradley International Airport.

As of late, whenever the Boston Red Sox have needed a big game from a starting pitcher, Clay Buchholz has stepped up and now looks like the true leader of the staff. Despite a rough start, he settled down and the offense picked him up in a 6-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles to salvage the finale of the three-game set.

Buchholz allowed two runs in the 1st and one in the 2nd inning. If not for a great throw from Cody Ross it might have been two runs. After that though, Buchholz settled into a groove. He also became the 43rd pitcher to throw nine pitches in an inning and striking out the side.

I do apologize that I can’t say more because I’ve got a lot to say. I guess it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Sox get down to brass tacks in win [boston globe]

Some close inspection and introspection [boston globe]

Valentine swings Ellsbury over to DH spot [boston globe]

Dustin Pedroia, Sox salvage one [boston herald]

Little suspense in weekend series at NY [boston herald]

Larry Lucchino acknowledges ‘hits’ [boston herald]

Jon Lester, Sox brass ponder if woes will keep talent away [boston herald]

Brian Johnson hit on mound [boston herald]

Who will want to be a Red Sox after all of this? [rob bradford – weei.com]

Red Sox Still Have Plenty of Questions Left to Answer While Making Final Push for Playoffs [tom caron – nesn.com]

Buchholz, Pedroia help salvage finale with O’s [csn new england]

How about Bill Mueller as next Sox manager? [csn new england]

Sox owners make surprise visit, blame media [csn new england]

Are Sox too focused on trying to find the ‘rat’? [csn new england]

“If I ruled the Sox, here’s what I’d do…’ [csn new england]

Buchholz emerging as Sox ace [csn new england]

Time to play ‘Survivor: Fenway’ [csn new england]

Pedroia lets his play do the talking [csn new england]

Notebook: Brass’ presence gives Sox a boost [csn new england]

Sox owners show up in Baltimore [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 6, Orioles 3 [espn boston]

Public visiting hours for Pesky on Sunday [espn boston]

Buchholz, Sox benefit from brass’ boost [espn boston]

The Boston Red Sox are unhappy with negative media coverage; here’s how they’d like their story told [espn boston]

Closing Time: Timely hitting helps Red Sox avoid series sweep from Orioles [full count]

A month after his injury, David Ortiz has a message for the doubters [full count]

Scott Podsednik’s Offensive Spark Proving Outfielder Deserves More Time to Help Red Sox [nesn.com]

Red Sox Offense Pounces on Oriole Miscues After Failing to Catch Breaks Earlier in Series [nesn.com]

Clay Buchholz’ Performance Against Orioles Embodies His Season, Ability To Recover [nesn.com]

Trags Bag: Red Sox a classic communication breakdown [mike petraglia – weei.com]

Buchholz fans side in sixth on nine pitches [redsox.com]

Ellsbury rests legs, starts at designated hitter [redsox.com]

Dice-K to make at least one more start in Minors [redsox.com]

Lucchino vows ownership will restore Red Sox brand [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, be sure to head over to the Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother the Oriole Post for all of your Orioles needs.

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

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

Big East title chances: Connecticut [andrea adelson – espn.com]

UConn hoping it will be Knappe time for opposing offenses [the hour]

Recruiting Review: Connecticut Huskies [cbssports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno Talks About Departures Of Johnson and Engeln [john altavilla – hartford courant]

What Do The Olympics And Ice Cream Have In Common? [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Huskies To Make Three Big Monday Appearances [rich elliott – ct post]

Auriemma Fine With 11 Players On Roster; Chong Sets Up Visits [rich elliott – ct post]

Auriemma Not Interested In Coaching Team USA In 2016 [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn’s 2012-13 Non-Conference Schedule [rich elliott – ct post]

Geno not interested in 2016 Olympic gig [jim fuller – new haven register]

Auriemma has no concerns about 11-player roster [jim fuller – new haven register]

Stewart Records Double-Double In USA Basketball U18 Win Over Argentina [uconnhuskies.com]

Auriemma: Olympics ‘most pressure I’ve ever felt’ [ct post]

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Says One Olympics Is Enough [hartford courant]

Geno Auriemma not interested in coaching U.S. team again [new haven register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Jim Calhoun eager to return to Huskies [andy katz – espn.com]

Other UConn related links

Take a Look Around the Redesigned UConnHuskies.com [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Opens Season at Home on Friday [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Woodstock grad ready to make her contribution to UConn [norwich bulletin]

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

Are you wondering if you’ll be able to see the Boston Red Sox take on the New York Yankees on FOX on Saturday afternoon?

Well here’s the breakdown courtesy of Fang’s Bites:

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees – 72%
ANNOUNCERS: Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals – 27%
ANNOUNCERS: Dick Stockton & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tulsa

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

After losing last night 5-3, the Boston Red Sox look to avoid being swept in the finale of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Orioles television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Clay Buchholz looks to be the stopper yet again in his 21st start of 2012. In his previous 20 starts, Buchholz is 10-3 with a 4.24 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Birds this year and is 1-0 with a 5.00 ERA (10 ER/18 IP). Buchholz has made 13 appearances (12 starts) against the Orioles and is 6-3 with a 3.67 ERA. Seven of those appearances (six starts) have come at Camden Yards where he is 3-2 with a 5.45 ERA.

Chris Tillman looks to keep his Orioles squad surging in his eighth start of 2012. In his previous seven starts, Tillman is 5-2 with a 3.40 ERA. He’s made two career starts against the Red Sox and is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA.

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:

57-61		65-53
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	DH	1. Nick Markakis	RF
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Nate McLouth	LF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Adam Jones	CF
5. Cody Ross	RF	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Chris Davis	DH
7. Nick Punto	3B	7. Mark Reynolds	1B
8. Pedro Ciriaco	SS	8. Manny Machado	3B
9. Scott Podsednik	CF	9. Omar Quintanilla	2B
Clay Buchholz	SP	Chris Tillman	SP

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

NOTES:

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

It turns out Kevin Youkilis wasn’t the problem [boston herald]

Source: Red Sox receive Beato for Shoppach [rob bradford – weei.com]

Mullen on the Minors: Healthy Carpenter looking to shake ‘PTBNL’ label [csn new england]

Buchholz tries to prevent Orioles sweep tonight [espn boston]

Larry Lucchino on D&C: Red Sox won’t fire Bobby Valentine this season [full count]

Red Sox Must Slow Mark Reynolds in Attempt to Salvage Series Finale With Orioles [nesn.com]

Have the Red Sox’ Struggles This Year Been More Surprising Than the Orioles’ Success? [nesn.com]

Glaring contrast between Sox and Pats [projo sox blog]

Buchholz aims to slam brakes on Sox’s skid [redsox.com]

Red Sox fans win money on ‘Bucks on the Pond’ [redsox.com]

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

photo credits: ap photo, getty images

Boston Red Sox Pitcher Josh Beckett, Local Stars & Athletes

Throw Strikes for Children at Sixth Annual Beckett Bowl

Star-studded lineup of Boston celebrities and pro athletes compete in charity bowling tournament to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital; Succeeded by Beckett Bowl 10 Man Jam concert presented by WKLB at House of Blues Boston

WHAT: Boston Red Sox All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on August 20, when he hangs up his baseball cleats for a pair of bowling shoes at the sixth annual Beckett Bowl, a star-studded bowling tournament, followed by the Beckett Bowl 10 Man Jam presented by WKLB at the House of Blues. All proceeds benefit the Josh Beckett Foundation and Boston Children’s Hospital.

WHO: Beckett Bowl has continuously attracted some of Boston’s top professional athletes and celebrities, including Beckett’s current and former Red Sox teammates Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield; HBO’s “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier; performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of legendary hip-hop trio Run DMC; stand-up comedian, actor, stuntman and performer Verne Troyer (a.k.a. “Mini-Me”); country music stars Pat Green and Jason Aldean; Boston Celtics 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce and former teammate Glen “Big Baby” Davis; 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron, Shawn Thornton, and Milan Lucic; Current and former New England Patriots  Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas and Stephen Gostkowski; San Antonio Spurs’ forward Matt Bonner; New England Revolution stars Matt Reis, Darrius Barnes and Shalrie Joseph; ESPN soccer analyst Taylor Twellman; and many more.

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are available for $250, which grants access to watch the action at Beckett Bowl with complimentary food and beverage, as well as a ticket to the Beckett Bowl 10 Man Jam concert. Concert-only tickets are also available for $45.00 – $65.00 depending on seating location. All tickets are available now at beckettbowl.com

Local Limited spots are available for group packages and lane sponsorship. For pricing inquiries, contact abbyp@ammteam.com or visit beckettbowl.com/sponsorship.pdf.

WHEN: Monday, August 20, 2012

WHERE: Jillian’s Lucky Strike Lanes, 145 Ipswich Street, Boston

About The Josh Beckett Foundation

The Josh Beckett Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett to support community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children that are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. The Foundation provides Beckett with an opportunity to have a direct and permanent impact on the lives of children throughout New England.

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

There are two things I’m pretty certain of in baseball right now.

One, the Baltimore Orioles aren’t going away anytime soon. Two, the Boston Red Sox really aren’t a good baseball team. I kid with the title of the lineup post by saying “Wednesday Red Sox Mediocrity” but in reality, it’s not a joke.

Aaron Cook was his own worst enemy as the Red Sox fell 5-3 to the Baltimore Orioles. It would be his throwing error in the 6th that would ultimately do him and his team in.

Cook had been cruising through the first five innings of the game. He was perfect through three innings and then walked a guy in the 4th and 5th innings. Those walks didn’t hurt him though.

Things changed in the 6th though with him holding onto a 2-0 lead.

After getting the first out of the inning, he walked Nick Markakis. Two singles later, one by J.J. Hardy and the second by Nate McLouth, cut the Red Sox lead in half at 2-1. It looked as though Cook would get out of the inning as he got Adam Jones to ground back to him but when he tried to start the inning-ending 1-6-3 double play, his throw sailed past Mike Aviles that allowed Hardy to knot the game up at 2.

Matt Wieters followed that with an RBI ground-rule double to chase Cook from the game. Andrew Miller came in and got a groundball from Chris Davis to Dustin Pedroia at second. Pedey went home to gun down Jones to keep the game a one-run ballgame. But Junichi Tazawa came in and was greeted by Mark Reynolds double that cleared the bases and put the O’s out in front for good at 5-2.

The Red Sox got a run back in the 7th but that’s as close as they would get.

One odd thing happened to the Red Sox in the 8th.

Adrian Gonzalez was ejected from the game in the 8th inning after grounding out. It appeared that O’s pitcher Pedro Strop quick-pitched him with two strikes in the count. Gonzo wasn’t ready but still swung at the pitch and grounded out. He said a few things to the home plate umpire Mike Everitt going by and went into the dugout. But as Cody Ross was coming to the plate, Gonzo was chirping from the dugout and was ultimately ejected by Everitt.

Bobby Valentine came out to argue to no avail and he too found himself taking an early shower.

Given that big Yahoo! Sports report, you would have thought Valentine wouldn’t defend him. But he did so that tells how true that report really was. Plus the players named in that report have stated it’s not true.

Whatever the case may be, it’s a distraction, a HUGE one.

Whomever this anonymous source is in the Red Sox organization has to be carrying a grudge or something. I mean why else would you want to hurt your team by putting something like this out there.

I’ve been trying to stay as positive as I can with this team. They had a chance to make up ground against the Orioles. Now they have to fight to avoid being swept. If the Red Sox are swept, you can bet your bottom dollar that the chapter of the 2012 Red Sox will be closed.

But that doesn’t mean I still won’t support my team.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Orioles sink them again with 5 in 6th [boston globe]

Sox can’t plug leaks [boston globe]

Remaining idle is a sore spot for Ortiz [boston globe]

Sox come apart, again [boston herald]

David Ortiz cooling his heels [boston herald]

John Henry again backs Bobby V; refutes story [boston herald]

Alex Ochoa, Jon Lester laugh off controversy [boston herald]

It’s time to call it quits, Sox aren’t worth our attention [boston herald]

Gonzalez, Valentine explain ejection [rob bradford – weei.com]

Kelly Shoppach: Red Sox have ‘disconnect in communication’ [clubhouse insider]

Red Sox lose lead, fall to Orioles, 5-3 [csn new england]

Epstein gives thoughts on Pesky’s passing [csn new england]

Cook: ‘We lost it because I made an error’ [csn new england]

Gonzalez frustrated by non-call on ‘quick pitch’ [csn new england]

Matsuzaka: ‘Im ready to make the step up’ [csn new england]

Valentine secure in job, believes he’ll be manager through 2015 [csn new england]

Buchholz: Sox situation ‘blown out of proportion’ [csn new england]

Bobby appreciative; Ortiz takes it slow [espn boston]

Rumor Central: Options for Sox trades [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Orioles 5, Red Sox 3 [espn boston]

Cook self-destructs as hard-luck Sox fall [espn boston]

Bobby Valentine’s Boston Red Sox are in a funk, and the stink could linger long after 2012 [espn boston]

Adrian Gonzalez refutes claims made in report [full count]

Closing Time: Red Sox suffer a sudden collapse against Orioles once again [full count]

Aaron Cook: ‘We lost because I made an error’ [full count]

Adam Jones Tweets That Jarrod Saltalamacchia Is ‘Heavy Human’ After Collision at Plate [nesn.com]

Red Sox’ Sixth-Inning Breakdown an Apt Metaphor for Fast-Unravelling Season [nesn.com]

Arguing Strop’s quick pitch, Adrian, Valentine ejected [redsox.com]

Ortiz feeling better, but still not running or hitting [redsox.com]

Doubront should return to rotation next week [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, be sure to head over to the Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother the Oriole Post for all of your Orioles needs.

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

photo credit: getty images

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 Women’s Basketball links

Could Geno Be Back In 2016? USA Basketball Not Saying No [Or Yes] [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Lobo to be honored; Moore back with Sun [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuck Nets 23 Points in Team USA’s 99-26 Win Over the Dominican Republic [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Wanna See Caron Butler Play Hungry, Hungry Hippos? [david borges – new haven register]

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