Author Archives: ianbethune

Saturday Red Sox Torture – 7/7

Phil Hughes (L), Felix Doubront (R)

After falling 6-1 in the opening game of the day-night doubleheader, the Boston Red Sox look to put an end to their five-game losing streak in the nightcap against the New York Yankees at historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and will be broadcast to 74% of the country on FOX. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Felix Doubront looks to put his recent struggles aside in his 17th start of 2012. In his previous 16 starts, Doubront is 8-4 with a 4.42 ERA. He took a no decision in his only start against the Yankees this season and received a no decision after allowing one run in six innings of work on April 21st. Overall in his career, he’s made five appearances (one start) against the Evil Empire and has no record with a 2.53 ERA (3 ER/10.2 IP). Three of those appearances (one start) have come at the Fens where he has no record with a 3.12 ERA (3 ER/8.2 IP).

Phil Hughes looks to keep things rolling for the Yankees in his 17th start of the season. In his previous 16 starts, Hughes is 9-6 with a 4.29 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox this season and was 0-2 with a 14.63 ERA (13 ER/8 IP) in three appearances (two starts) in 2011. Hughes has made 16 appearances (eight starts) against the local nine and is 2-5 with a 6.65 ERA. Eight of those appearances (four starts) have come at the Fens where he is 2-3 with a 9.00 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:

New York Yankees50-32 Boston Red Sox42-41
1. Derek Jeter SS 1. Daniel Nava LF
2. Curtis Granderson CF 2. Nick Punto 2B
3. Mark Teixeira DH 3. David Ortiz DH
4. Robinson Cano 2B 4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
5. Nick Swisher 1B 5. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
6. Andruw Jones LF 6. Cody Ross RF
7. Jayson Nix 3B 7. Ryan Sweeney CF
8. Russell Martin C 8. Mauro Gomez 3B
9. Darnell McDonald LF 9. Pedro Ciriaco SS
Phil Hughes SP Felix Doubront SP

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

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

NOTES: As you can see from the lineup, Sweeney is back from the 15-day DL. Ryan Kalish has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for him on the 25-man roster.

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Ryan Sweeney activated for doubleheader finale; Ryan Kalish to Pawtucket [clubhouse insider]

Yankees win game one of doubleheader 6-1 [csn new england]

Command struggles doom Morales vs. Yanks [csn new england]

Freddy Garcia past ‘dead arm’ period [csn new england]

Germano silver lining during Saturday loss [csn new england]

Another setback for Crawford (groin strain) [espn boston]

Red Sox add Mortensen for doubleheader [espn boston]

Bobby V comes to Padilla’s defense [espn boston]

Sox drop fifth in a row, fall to .500 [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Yankees 6, Red Sox 1 [espn boston]

Sox activate Sweeney off DL to start in CF [espn boston]

Red Sox pregame notes: Carl Crawford’s rehab assignment stopped due to ‘mild left groin strain’ [full count]

Closing Time: Yankees clobber four homers off Franklin Morales, take Game 1 of doubleheader [full count]

Pedro Ciriaco Eager To Maintain Momentum From Memorable Spring Training With Red Sox [nesn.com]

Fenway Park Recognized by National Park Service During 100-Year Celebration [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine Defends Vicente Padilla, Jokingly Fires Subtle Jab At Mark Teixeira [nesn.com]

Clay Buchholz to Make Rehab Start in Pawtucket as He Works His Way Off Disabled List [nesn.com]

Red Sox Must Hope Franklin Morales’ Rough Start Isn’t Sign of Things to Come With Already Unstable Rotation [nesn.com]

Justin Germano’s Exploits Alleviate Bullpen’s Burden for Rest of Series Against Yankees [nesn.com]

Nightmare: Garcia, Yanks belt Sox again [mike petraglia – weei.com]

McClure: Sox pitchers ‘trying too much’ [mike petraglia – weei.com]

New York knocks out punchless Sox [projo sox blog]

Sweeney activated from disabled list [projo sox blog]

Germano the lone bright spot in afternoon loss [projo sox blog]

Crawford’s tweaked groin will delay return [redsox.com]

Buchholz to make rehab start Sunday for Pawtucket [redsox.com]

Mortensen is Boston’s 26th man for doubleheader [redsox.com]

Middlebrooks out of starting lineup for Game 1 [redsox.com]

Morales done in by homers as Sox fall in Game 1 [redsox.com]

Doubront tasked with taming Yanks in nightcap [redsox.com]

Sweeney activated from DL, Kalish sent down [redsox.com]

Boston starters having tough time in first inning [redsox.com]

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

photo credits: ap photo, getty images

Saturday Red Sox Delight – 7/7

New York tabloid covers for 7/7/12

After watching the top half of the 1st inning last night, you were probably sitting there going well this is going to be one long night after you watch the New York Yankees score five runs off of Josh Beckett. But after the 1st inning was completely over and you watched the Boston Red Sox come back with five runs of their own, you probably said okay, we’ve got a chance.

In the end though you were left disappointed when the New York Yankees rallied late to take a 10-8 win to send the Red Sox to their fourth straight loss.

Obviously Beckett wasn’t at his best last night. He had no feel for his pitches at all lacking command on all of them. After giving up another run in the 2nd, he settled down and eventually gave the Red Sox five innings. He even left with a chance to get the win. Unfortunately, the Red Sox bullpen couldn’t hold it for him.

You can’t fault the Red Sox if they were upset after the loss. Ever since the Saturday debacle against the Yankees on April 21st when the Red Sox had hit “rock bottom”, the bullpen has been nothing short of spectacular so they were probably due for a night like last night. While you hoped it didn’t happen against the Bronx Bombers, it did.

And while they lost, you have to be proud of them for coming back. They could have just packed it in, put in their at-bats and threw their pitches and got ready for today’s doubleheader. Instead they fought back and gave everything they had.

Unfortunately in the end, it didn’t work out for them.

There’s always today though.

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

Freddy Garcia (L), Franklin Morales (R)

After falling last night 10-8, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in the first game of a day-night doubleheader with the New York Yankees at historic Fenway Park this afternoon.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can catch the game on YES.  And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as well as the MLB Network will be broadcasting the game as well (not in Red Sox or Yankees television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Franklin Morales will take the ball in game one of the double header as he makes his fourth start (26th appearance) of 2012. In his previous 25 appearances (three starts), Morales is 1-1 with a 2.59 ERA. As a starter, he is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA (4 ER/18 IP) and 24 strikeouts. He’s made one appearance against the Yankees this season and allowed one run in 2/3 of an inning. He’s made four career appearances against the Yankees and is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA (1 ER/3.1 IP). Three of those appearances have come at the Fens where he has no record with a 6.75 ERA (1 ER/1.1 IP).

Freddy Garcia makes his sixth start (16th appearance) of 2012. In his previous 15 appearances (five starts), Garcia is 2-2 with a 5.94 ERA. In his only start against the Red Sox this season, he picked up a no decision after allowing five runs in 1.2 innings. Garcia has made 22 appearances (21 starts) against the Red Sox and is 9-4 with a 4.76 ERA. 10 of those appearances (nine starts) have come at the Fens where he is 3-1 with a 5.05 ERA.

Here are today’s lineups:

New York Yankees50-32 Boston Red Sox42-41
1. Derek Jeter DH 1. Daniel Nava LF
2. Mark Teixeira 1B 2. Pedro Ciriaco 2B
3. Alex Rodriguez 3B 3. David Ortiz DH
4. Robinson Cano 2B 4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
5. Nick Swisher RF 5. Mauro Gomez 3B
6. Andruw Jones LF 6. Ryan Kalish CF
7. Jayson Nix SS 7. Mike Aviles SS
8. Darnell McDonald CF 8. Kelly Shoppach C
9. Chris Stewart C 9. Brent Lillibridge RF
Freddy Garcia SP Franklin Morales SP

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

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

NOTES: Carl Crawford‘s rehab has been put on hold as he suffered a groin strain. The Red Sox took advantage of a new MLB rule for doubleheader’s and recalled Clayton Mortensen. He has to be sent down before Sunday night’s game.

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No relief [boston globe]

Something is always missing [boston globe]

Crawford stands by allegation [boston globe]

Pedroia to be out three weeks [boston globe]

Teixeira fires back with shot against Padilla [boston globe]

Red Sox battle back early, but Yankees better late [boston herald]

Darnell McDonald on other side now [boston herald]

This sequel just as bad for Sox [boston herald]

Mark Teixeira lands blow on old foe [boston herald]

Brutal beginning burns Josh Beckett badly [boston herald]

Buchholz planning to start Saturday in Tampa [rob bradford – weei.com]

Jim Rice Takes High Road, ‘Not Worried’ By Reggie Jackson’s Assertion He Doesn’t Belong in Hall of Fame [tom caron – nesn.com]

Crawford delayed by groin strain; Buchholz to pitch Sunday in Pawtucket [clubhouse insider]

Bobby V weighs in on bad blood between Padilla, Teixeira [clubhouse insider]

Yankees outslug Red Sox [csn new england]

Return of the bullpen blues [csn new england]

Bad first hampers Beckett [csn new england]

Texeira rips Padilla, gets revenge [csn new england]

Carl Crawford pulled off rehab assignment with mild groin strain [csn new england]

Middlebrooks ‘close’, could pinch hit [csn new england]

Valentine defends Padilla after Teixeira comments [csn new england]

Notes: Crawford suffers a setback; Buchholz and Ellsbury in Pawtucket [csn new england]

Red Sox call up Mortensen [csn new england]

Call-up Ciriaco excited to face Yanks [espn boston]

D-Mac returns to Fenway with visiting Yanks [espn boston]

Rapid reaction: Yankees 10, Red Sox 8 [espn boston]

First-inning blues for Beckett [espn boston]

Salty sets career-high with 17th HR [espn boston]

Is Franklin Morales finally realizing his potential as a Boston Red Sox starter? [espn boston]

Adrian Gonzalez extends hit streak, but can’t answer Mark Teixeira’s key stroke as Boston Red Sox fall to New York Yankees [espn boston]

Setback for Carl Crawford [extra bases]

Girardi, Yankees gearing up for doubleheader [extra bases]

Dustin Pedroia says he ‘heals great’, Will Middlebrooks feels better and other Red Sox notes [full count]

Red Sox sign Dominican shortstop Wendell Rijo for $625,000 [full count]

Closing Time: Yankees pound away at Red Sox pitching once again in earning Fenway Park win [full count]

Bobby Valentine on Josh Beckett: ‘I’ve never seen him like that’ [full count]

Mark Teixeira has no love lost for ‘cheap’ Vicente Padilla but all the respect for Red Sox [full count]

Red Sox Offense Displays Resiliency Needed to Overcome Roller Coaster First Half [nesn.com]

Carl Crawford Still Testing His Pain Tolerance As His Rehab Advances to Pawtucket [nesn.com]

Josh Beckett Credits Teammates for Courageous Effort, Dissapointed By Own Performance (Video) [nesn.com]

Mark Teixeira Focuses Ire on Vicente Padilla in Night That Left Much to Be Desired for Red Sox Pitching [nesn.com]

Carl Crawford’s Rehab Assignment Clock is Restarted After Experiencing Discomfort in His Groin [nesn.com]

Teixeira on Padilla: ‘He throws at people’ [mike petraglia – weei.com]

The tarp is on and skies are grey at Fenway Park [projo sox blog]

One question [projo sox blog]

Crawford suffers setback in rehab [projo sox blog]

Middlebrooks unlikely to play Saturday [projo sox blog]

Mortensen recalled as 26th man — for one day only [projo sox blog]

Buchholz to pitch Sunday for Pawtucket, next weekend for Boston [projo sox blog]

Red Sox view twin bill as chance at momentum [redsox.com]

Tex on Padilla: ‘The guy throws at people’ [redsox.com]

New to Yanks, Darnell meets old club at Fenway [redsox.com]

With Pedroia out, Ciriaco eager to chip in [redsox.com]

Valentine has faith in Bard despite setback [redsox.com]

Buchholz throws in ‘pen; July return likely [redsox.com]

Crawford, Ellsbury not far from rejoining Sox [redsox.com]

Middlebrooks hopes to play before break [redsox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the ESPN New York, New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.

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

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 7/7

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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

UConn Football Has Fewest Recruits In Big East [hartford courant]

Lawrence Wilson, Saints LB, suspended, fined by NFL [nfl.com]

Former Yale recruit now headed to UConn [wtnh.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Bria Hartley in Colorado for 3×3 training camp [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Ray Allen leaves Celtics for Miami [norwich bulletin]

Michael Bradley’s eligibility is complicated [eamonn brennan – espn.com]

Other UConn related links

M & W. Swimming. 2012-13 Swimming And Diving Captains Named [uconnhuskies.com]

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

Destination Red Sox Nation – 7/7

Destination Red Sox Nation

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

Players of the Month, June: Ryan Lavarnway & Justin Germano [soxprospects.com]

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox couldn’t rally back in a 3-1 loss to the Rochester Red Wings.

PawSox Fall, Drop Series in Rochester [pawsox.com]

Rochester hurlers tame Pawtucket’s bats [providence journal]

Another Middlebrooks spending a summer with the PawSox [providence journal]

Crawford to play in Pawtucket this Weekend [pawsox.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox @ Rochester Red Wings 7.6.12 box score [milb.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2012 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League 2012 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs got three in the 9th to rally back for a 4-2 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Sea Dogs Spring to 4-2 in Finale [portlandseadogs.com]

Homer ends Sea Dogs’ skid [portland press herald]

Sea Dogs add first Mainer [portland press herald]

Portland Sea Dogs @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7.6.12 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 Salem Red Sox:

Salem’s offense erupted for 17 hits in a 16-2 win over the Carolina Mudcats.

Red Sox Obliterate Mudcats 16-2 [salemredsox.com]

Salem Sox blast Carolina [roanoke times]

Salem falls into slump [roanoke times]

Salem Red Sox @ Carolina Mudcats 7.6.12 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 Greenville Drive:

The Drive split a doubleheader with the Rome Braves. They won the first game 4-0 while the Braves won the second game 6-3.

Greenville Drive end four-game losing streak, split doubleheader with Rome Braves [goupstate.com]

Drive, Braves Split Friday’s Doubleheader [oursports central]

Rome Braves @ Greenville Drive 7.6.12 game 1 box score [milb.com]

Rome Braves @ Greenville Drive 7.6.12 game 2 box score [milb.com]

Greenville Drive 2012 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2012 stats

South Atlantic League 2012 Standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Auburn Doubledays got three runs in the 9th to walkoff with a 7-6 win over the Spinners.

Spinners Throw Away Win, 7-6 [lowellspinners.com]

Losing streak hits 8 games [lowell sun]

Lowell Spinners @ Auburn Doubledays 7.6.12 box score [milb.com]

Lowell Spinners 2012 Roster

Lowell Spinners 2012 stats

NY-Penn League 2012 Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

Gulf Coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox beat the GCL Twins 9-4.

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox 7.6.12 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.

Video: Red Sox Honor Big Papi For His 400th Career Home Run

As we already know, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz smacked the 400th home run of his career on Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics.

On Friday night before their game with the New York Yankees, the Red Sox honored Big Papi on becoming the 49th player to hit at least 400 career home runs.

{flvremote}http://cdn.ianbethune.com/soxhonorpapi.flv{/flvremote}

Watch this video on your smartphone

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Jeff Beukeboom Named Whale Assistant Coach

NEW YORK, July 6, 2012 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has named Jeff Beukeboom assistant coach of the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Connecticut Whale.  He joins head coach, Ken Gernander, and assistant coach, Pat Boller.

CT WhaleBeukeboom, 47, is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion, including as a member of the Rangers’ 1994 Championship team.  He begins his first season as an assistant coach with Connecticut after spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).  Last season, he helped guide Sudbury to a 36-26-4-2 record for 78 points, a 16-point improvement over their 2010-11 record.

Prior to joining Sudbury, Beukeboom served as an assistant coach with the Barrie Colts (OHL) for the 2008-09 season.  He began his coaching career in 2003-04 as an assistant coach for the Toronto Roadrunners (AHL).  In 2005, Beukeboom became President and part-owner of the Lindsay Muskies of the Ontario Provincial Junior “A” Hockey League (OJHL). 

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Beukeboom skated in 804 career regular season games in 13 NHL seasons with the Rangers and Edmonton Oilers, registering 30 goals and 129 assists for 159 points, along with 1,890 penalty minutes and a plus-114 rating.  He began his career with Edmonton in 1986-87, where he captured the Stanley Cup in three of his first four seasons.  In 1987-88, he established career-highs in assists (20), points (25), plus/minus rating (plus-27), and penalty minutes (201).  Beukeboom also tallied three goals and 16 assists, along with 197 penalty minutes in 99 career playoff contests with the Rangers and Oilers.

The defenseman recorded 18 goals and 72 assists for 90 points, along with 1,157 penalty minutes and a plus-63 rating in 520 regular season games over eight seasons with the Rangers.  He was traded to the Blueshirts in exchange for David Shaw on November 12, 1991, as part of the October 4, 1991, deal that sent Mark Messier to Broadway.  Beukeboom notched a career-high, eight goals, during the 1993-94 season.  He went on to set playoff career-highs in games played (22), assists/points (six), and plus/minus rating (plus-17) that postseason, while helping the Rangers capture the Stanley Cup Championship.

The Ajax, Ontario native was originally selected by Edmonton as a first round choice, 19th overall, in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.

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Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 7/6

Hiroki Kuroda (L), Josh Beckett (R)

After going on 2-5 on their road trip to the left coast, the Boston Red Sox return home for four games in three days against their AL East rivals the New York Yankees at historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can catch the game on YES.  And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as well as the MLB Network will be broadcasting the game as well (not in Red Sox or Yankees television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Josh Beckett looks to help the Red Sox narrow the gap in the standings in his 14th start of 2012. In his previous 13 starts, Beckett is 4-7 with a 4.06 ERA. He has not faced the Yankees in 2012 and was 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA (7 ER/34 IP) in five starts in 2011. He’s made 27 career starts against the Bronx Bombers and is 14-7 with a 5.36 ERA. 14 of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 6-4 with a 5.74 ERA.

Hiroki Kuroda makes his 17th start of 2012 for the leaders of the AL East. In his previous 16 games, Kuroda is 8-7 with a 3.17 ERA. His lone career start against the Red Sox came into 2010 at the Fens as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In that start, he took the loss after allowing two runs in seven innings of work.

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

Here are today’s lineups:

New York Yankees49-32 Boston Red Sox42-40
1. Derek Jeter SS 1. Daniel Nava LF
2. Curtis Granderson CF 2. Ryan Kalish CF
3. Alex Rodriguez DH 3. David Ortiz DH
4. Robinson Cano 2B 4. Cody Ross RF
5. Mark Teixeira 1B 5. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
6. Nick Swisher RF 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
7. Raul Ibanez LF 7. Mauro Gomez 3B
8. Eric Chavez 3B 8. Mike Aviles SS
9. Russell Martin C 9. Nick Punto 2B
Hiroki Kuroda SP Josh Beckett SP

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

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

NOTES: Dustin Pedroia has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. He’s been replaced on the 25-man roster by Pedro Ciriaco. Scott Podsednik was activated from the 15-day DL and was optioned to Pawtucket.

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Frustrated Pedroia deals with DL, Crawford inches closer [clubhouse insider]

Red Sox- Yankees: A rivalry in rehab [csn new england]

Pedroia hits DL; Ciriaco called up [csn new england]

W2W4: Red Sox-Yankees, 7 ET [espn boston]

Francona’s take on Red Sox-Yankees [espn boston]

Crawford’s thoughts on race and baseball [espn boston]

Bobby Valentine says Boston Red Sox’ Dustin Pedroia on DL with new thumb injury [espn boston]

Frustrated Pedroia has cast on his hand [espn boston]

Buchholz on track for post-break return [espn boston]

Papi: ‘My bats will do the talking’ [espn boston]

Crawford hopes to play at Rays next weekend [espn boston]

Bobby V talks injuries, Sox-Yankees [espn boston]

Red Sox injury updates [extra bases]

Pedroia in a cast, out for several weeks [extra bases]

Middlebrooks on the comeback trail [extra bases]

Buchholz throws in the bullpen [extra bases]

New team, new haircut for Darnell McDonald [extra bases]

Kevin Millar on M&M: Red Sox ‘have to pay’ David Ortiz [full count]

Derek Jeter welcomes Darnell McDonald to the Yankees by making him cut his hair [full count]

Red Sox-Yankees series has a different feel this time around [tony massarotti – boston globe]

Red Sox Welcoming Yankees to Boston for Series That Could Make or Break Season for Sox [nesn.com]

Kelly Shoppach Asks Twitter Followers for Help Naming New Baby Hedgehog (Photo) [nesn.com]

Daniel Bard Can Call On Billy Chapel, Benny the Jet in Attempt to Regain His Form (Gallery) [nesn.com]

Red Sox Need to Show Fight Against Banged Up Yankees in Crucial Series at Fenway [nesn.com]

Dustin Pedroia to Miss ‘A Couple Weeks’ With Thumb Injury, Vows to Produce in ‘Major Way’ Upon Return [nesn.com]

Darnell McDonald Adjusts to ‘Strange’ Experience of Facing Red Sox While Learning the Yankee Way [nesn.com]

ESPN: Crawford to play in Pawtucket this Weekend [pawsox.com]

Trags Bag: Time for Red Sox to put up or shut up [mike petraglia – weei.com]

Red Sox to treat Pedroia ‘conservatively’ [mike petraglia – weei.com]

Bobby V: I’ll ‘keep [Ortiz] distracted’ [mike petraglia – weei.com]

Misery loves company [projo sox blog]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Yankees and Offense [projo sox blog]

Pedroia to be in cast for several weeks with hyperextended thumb [projo sox blog]

Buchholz throws bullpen, could return soon after All-Star break [projo sox blog]

Crawford to play for PawSox this weekend [projo sox blog]

Recently let go by Red Sox, McDonald back at Fenway Park with Yankees [projo sox blog]

Podsednik activated, optioned to Triple-A [projo sox blog]

Beckett up first as Sox try to gain on Yanks [redsox.com]

Lucchino: Sox want Ortiz to retire with Sox [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

Red Sox News & Notes – 7/6

Sure every time the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees get together, it’s usually a big series for the two teams. Lately though it’s seemed like it was more so for the fans than the teams.

Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox sits in the dugout before their game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on July 3, 2012 in Oakland, California.But with the Red Sox trailing the Yankees by 7.5 games, this weekend could define whether or not the local nine has a chance to win the AL East. You can’t rule out the playoffs as they trail the Baltimore Orioles by two games for the final wild card spot.

Yes I know we are only halfway through the season and you’re wondering how I can say this is a big weekend.

With these four games being the last before the All-Star break, they are huge. We’d all love to the see Red Sox win all four games and take that into the break. But lose all four and it’s the opposite.

And if that were to happen, you know the media would have a field day with it. That’s not what the Red Sox need right now. The local media has already stirred up enough trouble this season.

It appears the Red Sox are going to have to get through this weekend and the next 15 days without their fearless leader at second base, Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia had reinjured his thumb in Tuesday night’s game and missed the last game in Oakland. While the injury is a different one to the same thumb, it appears to be enough to keep him out of the lineup. According to multiple reports, Pedro Ciriaco will get the call to replace Pedroia in the lineup.

The injury bug has really snakebitten the Red Sox more than any other team it seems. Just when it looks like the Red Sox are going to be healthy, another injury crops up. It makes you really wonder if the Red Sox will ever field the team they thought they were going to this season.

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.

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Full speed ahead for rehabbing Sox [boston globe]

Catching up [boston globe]

Pedroia is headed to the DL [boston globe]

He’s working for tips [boston globe]

Dustin Pedroia down, out [boston herald]

David Ortiz’s power trip still going strong [boston herald]

Big chance for Red Sox [boston herald]

Aging gracefully [boston herald]

A scout’s take: Which American League East teams are ready to separate themselves [rob bradford – weei.com]

David Ortiz, Scott Atchison Have Helped Red Sox Weather Injury Storm During Season’s First Half [tom caron – nesn.com]

Unhappy Papi – Relive all of David Ortiz’s 2012 blowups [csn new england]

Might not have heard end of Ortiz’s gripe [csn new england]

Down on the Farm: Jackie Bradley, Jr. [csn new england]

Ellsbury takes day off, as scheduled [espn boston]

Sweeney feels good after Portland debut [espn boston]

Crawford’s game marred by racial slur [espn boston]

Bard’s struggles return in disastrous outing [espn boston]

Boston Red Sox need to snap out of it against New York Yankees [espn boston]

Pedro Ciriaco will get the call [extra bases]

Buster Olney on M&M: Weekend could be ‘crossroads’ for Red Sox in AL East race [full count]

Carl Crawford, Ryan Sweeney move closer to the majors in Manchester [full count]

Red Sox Outfield Poised for Shakeup with Looming Returns of Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury [nesn.com]

Brandon Jacobs Slugging His Way Through Minors in Hopes of Patrolling Outfield at Fenway Park (Video) [nesn.com]

David Ortiz’ Frustration Over Contract Justified, But Red Sox Should Remain Focused on Gaining Consistency [nesn.com]

Buchholz’s esophagitis a common problem [redsox.com]

Thumb will likely land Pedroia on disabled list [redsox.com]

Upcoming Yanks series could turn tide in Sox’s season [redsox.com]

MLB Notebook: Ortiz poised for run at Sox record [redsox.com]

Forget a raise, what about a pay cut? Why David Ortiz and the Red Sox could confront a challenging negotiation [alex speier – weei.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New EnglandESPN 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 Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle websites.

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

photo credit: Getty Images

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 7/6

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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

DC answered a question in his mailbag [desmond conner – hartford courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

CNN Airs Story On Hardwick Suit [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Remember the Name: Cliff Alexander [uconn huskies basketball]

Other UConn related links

Doug Gnodtke Named Senior Associate Director of Athletics [uconnhuskies.com]

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