After falling for the fourth straight game last night 4-1, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in the middle game of a three-game set with the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park in the little Havana section of Miami.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Marlins television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Florida. And if you don’t live in either market, the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (not in Red Sox or Marlins 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 continue his recent run of good pitching tonight in his 13th start of 2012. In his previous 12 starts, Buchholz is 6-2 with a 5.77 ERA. Tonight marks his first career start against the Marlins.

After 12 years with the Chicago White Sox, Mark Buehrle makes his 13th start of 2012 with the Marlins. In his previous 12 starts, Buehrle is 5-6 with a 3.49 ERA. He picked up a no decision in his only start of 2011 against the Red Sox when he allowed two runs in six innings of work. Buehrle has made 17 career appearances (16 starts) against the visiting nine and is 6-6 with a 4.49 ERA.

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:

29-32		32-29
1. Scott Podsednik	CF	1. Jose Reyes	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Omar Infante	2B
3. Kevin Youkilis	1B	3. Hanley Ramirez	3B
4. Will Middlebrooks	3B	4. Giancarlo Stanton	RF
5. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	5. Logan Morrison	LF
6. Kelly Shoppach	C	6. Gaby Sanchez	1B
7. Mike Aviles	SS	7. Chris Coghlan	CF
8. Darnell McDonald	LF	8. John Buck	C
9. Clay Buchholz	P	9. Mark Buehrle	P
Clay Buchholz	SP	Mark Buehrle	SP

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

NOTES: After being desiginated for assignment on Saturday, the Red Sox have released Marlon Byrd.

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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Cody Ross ready for minors Friday [Boston Herald]

Kevin Youkilis: Umpire was ’showing he doesn’t like me at all’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Hovering around .500 [CSN New England]

Hill frustrated — and relieved — at latest setback [CSN New England]

Red Sox taking advantage of Podsednik’s good health [CSN New England]

Marlon Byrd released by Red Sox [CSN New England]

Buchholz gets his turn to right Red Sox’s ship [ESPN Boston]

Video: Red Sox numbers don’t lie [ESPN Boston]

Notes: Podsednik right place, right time [ESPN Boston]

Which way should the Red Sox go? [Extra Bases]

Podcast: Theo, umpires, and slumping hitters [Extra Bases]

Red Sox close to deal with Taiwanese shortstop [Extra Bases]

Hill relieved after getting his elbow checked [Extra Bases]

Red Sox agree to deal with J.B. Wendelken, pitcher from ‘Reddick U.’ [Full Count]

Josh Beckett, Mickey Mantle on Opposite Sides of Athleticism in Baseball [NESN.com]

Scott Podsednik Continues to Be Pleasant Surprise for Red Sox Since Being Recalled [NESN.com]

Will Major League Baseball Ever Use Robot Umpires? [NESN.com]

Mike Aviles Knows Getting Right Amount of Sleep Is Crucial to Staying Alert [NESN.com]

Ortiz gets night off as infield shuffle continues [Projo Sox Blog]

Hill expecting to miss six weeks [Projo Sox Blog]

Nava still out with hand injury [Projo Sox Blog]

Punto: “Pride gets involved” [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz aims to help Red Sox even series [RedSox.com]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

The Miami Marlins had lost six straight games. The Boston Red Sox had lost four straight games and five of their last six. The Marlins had an elite pitcher on the mound in Josh Johnson, the Red Sox in Josh Beckett.

Well, we all know what happens when the Red Sox face an elite pitcher. The bats go silent. And that’s exactly what happened in last night’s 4-1 loss to the Marlins at Marlins Park in the Little Havana section of Miami.

The Red Sox managed just four hits off of Johnson and then got the other one off of reliever Steve Cishek. They really only had Johnson on the ropes twice during the game and only managed just the one run.

They had him on the ropes in the 1st inning after Scott Podsednik singled and then he stole second before a walk to Dustin Pedroia. Johnson battled back though to strikeout Adrian Gonzalez, got David Ortiz to fly out and finished it off by getting Jarrod Saltalamacchia to fly out as well.

After Beckett struck out to start the 6th, Podsednik singled and went to third on a Pedroia double. Trailing 4-0 at the time, this would be a prime opportunity to get back in the game. Gonzalez would bring in the only run of the game for the Red Sox though with a sacrifice fly. Johnson avoided any more damage by getting Big Papi to fly out.

If you take away the 1st inning from Beckett’s game, he was outstanding as he settled in. But, he gave up three runs in the 1st and after not taking advantage of Johnson the half inning before, the Red Sox were in a hole they wouldn’t dig out of.

This Red Sox team, as good as it might be, just can’t seem to string together a good run. And with the improved pitching they’ve been facing, if they can’t hit it, they won’t go anywhere.

It’s shaping up to be a disappointing season for the Red Sox. Let’s hope it turns around starting tonight.

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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Johnson, Marlins keep Sox reeling [Boston Globe]

An equal exchange [Boston Globe]

Hill avoids surgery, but will miss a few weeks [Boston Globe]

Red Sox can’t back Josh Beckett [Boston Herald]

Josh Johnson dominates under blue skies [Boston Herald]

Red Sox bats fail to do much damage [Boston Herald]

Bobby Valentine replays rant against umps [Boston Herald]

How Dustin Pedroia put concerns about his thumb in the rear-view mirror [Boston Herald]

First inning does Beckett, Sox in against Marlins [CSN New England]

Melancon perfect in one-inning return for Red Sox [CSN New England]

Beckett silent after mixed results vs. Marlins [CSN New England]

Bard gives up run in one inning out of PawSox pen [CSN New England]

State of the Sox: Our weekly notebook [CSN New England]

First pitch: Silent nights (and days) for Red Sox [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Marlins 4, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]

Beckett, Sox feel more frustration [ESPN Boston]

Salty: ‘We know we’re better than that’ [ESPN Boston]

Bard not giving up on being a starter [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Too little, too late for Josh Beckett and Red Sox against Marlins [Full Count]

Ozzie Guillen is Even More Insane Than We All Thought [NESN.com]

Red Sox Need to Look Inwards, Not at Umpires, to Straighten Out Offensive Woes [NESN.com]

Mark Melancon Glad to Be Back in Big Leagues, Aims to Be More Aggressive (Video) [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett’s Performance Could Suffer if Red Sox Offense Keeps Him in Pitcher’s Purgatory [NESN.com]

Andrew Miller Overcomes Lack of Confidence, Returns to Face Former Team As Valuable Piece of Red Sox Bullpen [NESN.com]

Salty’s game not generating All-Star votes [RedSox.com]

Ahead of schedule, Ross could return soon [RedSox.com]

Bobby V wants technology for balls and strikes [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 Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post and South Florida Sun-Sentinel websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother Marlins Big Catch for all of your Nationals 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 Football links

UConn Gets Commitment From Tx.QB Richard Lagow [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Suit Claims UConn Women’s Coach Retaliated After His Sexual Advance Was Rebuffed [New York Times]

Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore linked by more than birthday [New Haven Register]

Hayes adapting to switch from UConn to WNBA [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

International Flavor in Storrs [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Recruiting Roundup: June 11 [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: UConn C Andre Drummond [WEEI.com]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Melissa Gonzalez to Represent USA Field Hockey at 2012 Olympics [UConnHuskies.com]

Yesterday’s stars — Ross achieved his goal [The Hour]

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

After being swept by the Washington Nationals over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox embark on a six-game interleague road trip. Tonight they’ll kick it off at Marlins Park in the first game of a three-game set with the Miami Marlins.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Marlins television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Florida. And if you don’t live in either market, ESPN will have coverage of the game (not in Red Sox or Marlins television markets). The game will also be available online at ESPN3.com or on your mobile device with the WatchESPN app. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Josh Beckett looks to keep his good pitching going in his 12th start of 2012. In his previous 11 starts, Beckett is 4-6 with a 4.04 ERA. Tonight marks his first career start against the club where he got his start. Beckett has not pitched at Marlins Park but was 26-14 with a 3.15 ERA in 56 games (55 appearances) in Miami.

Josh Johnson makes his 13th start of 2012 for new Marlins skipper Ozzie Guillen. In his previous 12 starts, Johnson is 3-4 with a 4.56 ERA. He’s made one career start against the Red Sox and that came back in 2006 at home. In that start, he took a no decision after allowing three 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:

29-31		31-29
1. Scott Podsednik	LF	1. Jose Reyes	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Donovan Solano	2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	3. Hanley Ramirez	3B
4. David Ortiz	1B	4. Giancarlo Stanton	RF
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	5. Logan Morrison	LF
6. Kevin Youkilis	3B	6. Gaby Sanchez	1B
7. Ryan Sweeney	CF	7. Chris Coghlan	CF
8. Mike Aviles	SS	8. John Buck	C
9. Josh Beckett	P	9. Josh Johnson	P
Josh Beckett	SP	Josh Johnson	SP

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

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Ross to rehab this week, Cook to pitch [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Cody Ross set to rehab with PawSox this weekend [Clubhouse Insider]

Daniel Bard set to pitch out of bullpen tonight for Pawtucket [Clubhouse Insider]

Hello, Hanley [CSN New England]

Injury notes: Ross, Cook progressing well [CSN New England]

Hill (strained flexor muscle) may be out a month [CSN New England]

Sources: Sox didn’t aggressively purse Soler [CSN New England]

Ortiz: Home Run Derby ‘wears you out’ [ESPN Boston]

Random Red Sox thoughts from Miami [Extra Bases]

Greetings from Marlins Park [Extra Bases]

Hill could miss at least a month [Extra Bases]

Red Sox close to signing football star/outfielder Shaq Thompson [Full Count]

Once again, Red Sox outpitched [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Report: Pirates Inquire About Kevin Youkilis Amidst Efforts to Acquire Corner Infielder [NESN.com]

Red Sox Can’t Be Offering Excuses and Other Thoughts From Week in Baseball [NESN.com]

Marlins Take Jab at Celtics on Twitter As They Open Series With Red Sox [NESN.com]

Is Giancarlo Stanton the Most Dangerous Hitter in the National League Right Now? [NESN.com]

Mark Prior Could Eventually Get Call-Up, But Junichi Tazawa More Likely to Make Impact (Podcast) [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett, Red Sox Will Try to Cool Off Justin Ruggiano in Series Opener With Miami [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Pitching Staff Needs Consistency for Team to Find Success the Rest of the Way [NESN.com]

Red Sox Series in Miami Recalls Preseason Incident Between Bobby Valentine and Ozzie Guillen [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Marlins and Decadence [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard to pitch out of bullpen for PawSox on Monday, but no long-term change of plans [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine: Umps shouldn’t be asked to “do the impossible” [Projo Sox Blog]

Jose Iglesias still out 7-10 more days [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett faces Marlins for first time with Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Rookie Middlebrooks has big league skills [RedSox.com]

Adductor not the only important thumb muscle [RedSox.com]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

The Boston Red Sox need a wake up call. And they need it quickly.

Maybe Bobby Valentine getting ejected for protecting his players after some awful strike and non-strike calls late in the game is it. Obviously it didn’t work to rally them back in the 9th but it shows the players he’s got there back.

But if that isn’t it, they desperately need something to get them turned back around.

The Washington Nationals are not the doormat in the NL East anymore. Folks, this team is legit. The Nats are just not going to roll over and play dead.

They have one of the best pitching staff’s in the NL as evidenced by their numbers. And they came into Beantown this weekend and swept a three-game series from the local nine.

So what does this mean for the Red Sox?

Well for starters, it’s their third straight loss and when you break it down, they went 1-5 on the homestand. They are now a dismal 14-19 at a ballpark where they should have a clear advantage. In case you were wondering, they are 15-12 on the road.

I could sit here and talk about this game. But it seems to be the same old story for yesterday’s Jon Lester.

He just can’t seem to catch a break. He starts slow but finishes strong. But one play seems to haunt him.

Sure the no strike call in the 9th inning when it looked as though Alfredo Aceves had struck out Danny Espinosa played a factor especially because he took the next pitch and stroked a double to bring in Bryce Harper with the winning run.

Then you have the strike call against Dustin Pedroia in the 9th inning that would ultimately get Valentine ejected. The ball looked clearly outside. It wasn’t called that way.

It does seem like the Red Sox really can’t catch a break. There’s been so many injuries to guys this season that it’s not even funny anymore. Speaking of that, you can add Rich Hill to the walking wounded after he was placed on the 15-day DL with soreness in his surgically repaired left elbow.

In my opinion though, the Red Sox may not be as good as everyone thinks they are.

Obviously not winning at home is one thing but when you can’t do anything on offense against some of the better pitchers, things aren’t going to go well. They were totally dominated by all three Nationals starters. That’s just not going to cut the mustard in my book.

The Red Sox now head to Miami where they’ll play their next three games. One thing to keep an eye on is how Valentine gets at least three of his bigger bats, Adrian Gonzalez, Will Middlebrooks, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis, into the lineup with no designated hitter for the next six games. The first time in interleague play it was easier since Youk was on the DL.

But now he’s not and at this point, the Red Sox need any advantage they can get. Not having the DH doesn’t help matters in the least.

Hopefully Josh Beckett can light up his former team in the Marlins.

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

Loss of temper [Boston Globe]

Elbow woes send Hill to DL [Boston Globe]

Ortiz the choice in drive time [Boston Globe]

Sox swept to finish dreadful homestand [Boston Herald]

Lester’s losing patience [Boston Herald]

Losers lamenting [Boston Herald]

Umps, Nationals get best of Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Red Sox suffer 4-3 loss, sweep at hands of Nats [CSN New England]

Lester on starts: ‘It’s just Groundhog Day every day’ [CSN New England]

Nava scratched from Sunday’s game with sore left hand [CSN New England]

Questionable umpiring leaves Sox with bad taste [CSN New England]

Aceves still confident in his stuff after loss [CSN New England]

Red Sox blow chances in 9th inning [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 4, Red Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Nava scratched, gets cortisone shot in hand [ESPN Boston]

Bobby Valentine grumbles about umpires after Washington Nationals sweep Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Nationals finish sweep with ninth-inning win vs. Red Sox [Full Count]

Red Sox frustration mounts as they’re swept away by the Nationals [Full Count]

Bobby Valentine Rips Umpiring Crew, Dustin Pedroia Says Calls During the Weekend Were ‘Disappointing’ [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava’s Hand Injury Remains a Mystery As He Contradicts Bobby Valentine’s Description [NESN.com]

Fenway Park Sells Out 745th Consecutive Regular-Season Game, Most in History of Any Major League Sport [NESN.com]

Consistency From Pitching Staff is Key to Red Sox’ Success the Rest of the Way [NESN.com]

Red Sox Won’t Be an Elite Team If They Can’t Hit Elite Pitching [NESN.com]

Red Sox conclude homestand on sour note [RedSox.com]

The next Hanley? Why Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts could be the next big thing [Alex Speier – WEEI.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 MASN, Washington Post and Washington Times websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother The Nats Blog for all of your Nationals 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 Football links

Video: UConn’s defensive leaders [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Charles Sets Another WNBA Record [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tiffany Hayes’ return spoiled by Tina Charles, Connecticut [New Haven Register]

Sun’s Charles’ 50th double-double sets WNBA speed record [Norwich Bulletin]

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