Author Archives: ianbethune
Detroit Tigers @ Boston Red Sox Pitching Matchups: 5/16-5/18

Note: Pitching matchups are subject to change
Friday, May 16 @ 7:10 PM
Max Scherzer, RHP (5-1, 2.04) vs Jon Lester, LHP (4-4, 2.75)
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio
Saturday, May 17 @ 7:10 PM
Rick Porcello, RHP (6-1, 3.22) vs John Lackey, RHP (5-2, 3.57)
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio
Sunday, May 18 @ 8:05 PM
Anibal Sanchez, RHP (0-2, 3.13) vs Jake Peavy, RHP (1-1, 3.94)
TV: ESPN, WatchESPN
Manny Ramirez Makes His Return To Fenway Park on May 28
This guy is in. Join us at Fenway on 5/28 as we honor the '04 Champs! http://t.co/02fbj057iK #MannyBeingManny pic.twitter.com/QfhVjqoWPf
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 15, 2014
Thursday Red Sox Delight – 5/15/14

After winning last night, the Boston Red Sox look for the series win this afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Twins television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports North. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
Clay Buchholz looks to get back on track in his eighth start of 2014. In his previous seven starts, Buchholz is 2-3 with a 6.44 ERA. He made two starts against the Twinkies in 2013 and had no record with a 4.15 ERA (6 ER/13 IP). He’s made seven career starts against the Twins and is 3-1 with a 4.22 ERA. Two of those starts have come at Target Field where he is 1-0 with a 5.11 ERA (7 ER/12.1 IP).
Phil Hughes makes his eight start for his new team in the Twins. In his previous seven starts, Hughes is 4-1 with a 3.92 ERA. He made two appearances (one start) against the Red Sox in 2013 as a member of the Evil Empire and was 0-1 with a 17.36 ERA (9 ER/4.2 IP). He’s made 22 career appearances (13 starts) against the visitors and is 5-7 with a 5.70 ERA.
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18-20 |
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| 1. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 1. Brian Dozier | 2B |
| 2. Xander Bogaerts | SS | 2. Joe Mauer | DH |
| 3. David Ortiz | DH | 3. Trevor Plouffe | 3B |
| 4. Mike Napoli | 1B | 4. Chris Colabello | 1B |
| 5. Jonny Gomes | RF | 5. Jason Kubel | LF |
| 6. Mike Carp | LF | 6. Kurt Suzuki | C |
| 7. David Ross | C | 7. Chris Parmelee | RF |
| 8. Will Middlebrooks | 3B | 8. Aaron Hicks | CF |
| 9. Jackie Bradley, Jr. | 3B | 9. Eduardo Escobar | SS |
| Clay Buchholz | SP | Phil Hughes | SP |
NOTES:
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

More links (bolded) will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.
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Manny Ramirez Makes His Return To Fenway Park on May 28 [sox & dawgs]
Red Sox not far from last year’s place; Grady Sizemore on more regular schedule [clubhouse insider]
Sox’ faith in young hitters pays off [csn new england]
Ortiz has been on Target for the last two games [csn new england]
Notes: Carp, Gomes, Ross in day game lineup [csn new england]
Can Ortiz go where no Sox has tread? [espn boston]
Prospect Mookie Betts looks like he’s got all the tools [providence journal]
Red Sox no longer restricting Sizemore’s playing time [providence journal]
Mike Carp gets a rare start for Red Sox [providence journal]
Prospect Henry Owens displays peaks and valleys in uneven performance Wednesday [providence journal]
Buchholz hoping to earn series victory vs. Twins [red sox]
Red Sox looking to get Mujica turned around [red sox]
A mistake for the ages: David Ortiz keeps reminding Twins of an all-time personnel mistake [alex speier – weei]
photo credits: getty images, getty images
Former Husky Kalana Greene Finds New Home in Washington
The Mystics have claimed G Kalana Greene off waivers
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) May 14, 2014
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 5/15/14

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.
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
Former UConn Standouts Stephen, Smallwood Taken In 2014 NFL Draft [sox & dawgs]
Toms River North’s Jordan Craig earns first offer from UConn, talks recruitment [the star-ledger]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Auriemma and Ollie Honored by the New York Athletic Club With Prestigious Winged Foot Award [sox & dawgs]
Seton Hall’s Bozzella Believes Butler Could Be An All-American [john altavilla – hartford courant]
Auriemma Talks About His USA Basketball Staff [john altavilla – hartford courant]
UConn’s Auriemma likes makeup of national team staff [jim fuller – new haven register]
UConn expected to submit Tuck’s medical hardship paperwork next week [jim fuller – new haven register]
Natalie Butler, Big East’s Top Freshman, Coming To UConn [hartford courant]
Kalana Greene claimed off waivers by the Washington Mystics [swish appeal]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Auriemma and Ollie Honored by the New York Athletic Club With Prestigious Winged Foot Award [sox & dawgs]
Kevin Ollie: “I Am Not Looking for Another Job” [david borges – new haven register]
UConn notebook: APR score pleases Ollie, White House trip set for June 9 [william paxton – ct post]
Ollie: UConn Talks ‘Progressing;’ Gets Award With Auriemma [hartford courant]
Other UConn related links
Three National Champions At UConn, Three Perfect APR Scores [sox & dawgs]
W. Swimming. Christine Pedersen Continues To Impress In The Pool [uconn huskies]
M. Track. Men’s Track & Field Gears Up For IC4A Championship [uconn huskies]
W. Track. UConn Women Head to Princeton for ECAC Championships [uconn huskies]
Baseball. UConn Hosts UCF For Final Regular Season Series, Senior Day Friday [uconn huskies]
Destination Red Sox Nation – 5/15/14

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 below.
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
Pawtucket Red Sox
The PawSox were held to two hits in 3-1 loss to the Indianapolis Indians.
Indy Stiffles PawSox 3-1 [pawsox]
Indy pitchers combine to toss 2-hitter [providence journal]
Pawtucket Red Sox @ Indianapolis Indians 5/14/14 box score [milb]
International League 2014 Standings
Portland Sea Dogs:
The New Britain Rock Cats got three in the 9th to walk-off with a 4-3 win over the Sea Dogs.
Rock Cats with a walk-off walk, beat the ‘Dogs 4-3 [portland sea dogs]
Sea Dogs squander lead, lose in ninth [portland press herald]
Prospect Mookie Betts looks like he’s got all the tools [providence journal]
Sea Dogs Closing-In on 8 Millionth Fan [portland sea dogs]
Portland Sea Dogs @ New Britain Rock Cats 5/14/14 box score [milb]
Salem Red Sox:
Salem held on for a 3-2 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Diaz Strong as Sox Top Rocks 3-2 [salem red sox]
Diaz stays strong for 7 to lead the Sox over Wilmington [roanoke times]
Salem Red Sox @ Wilmington Blue Rocks 5/14/14 box score [milb]
Carolina League 2014 standings
Greenville Drive:
The Drive lost both games of a doubleheader to the Savannah Sand Gnats. Savannah won the first game 5-4 and the second 6-1.
Drive Drop a Pair to Savannah [greenville drive]
Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 4/19/14 box score [milb]
Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 5/14/14 box score [milb]
South Atlantic League 2014 Standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Lowell Spinners 2014 season kicks off on Friday, June 13 when they’ll host the Vermont Lake Monsters.
Final Lowell Spinners 2013 Roster
Final Lowell Spinners 2013 stats
Final NY-Penn League 2013 Standings
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Red Sox kick off their 2014 season on Friday June 20 when they’ll host the GCL Twins.
Video: Big Papi Homers Twice In 9-4 Win Over Twins

Ten years later, it appears that David Ortiz still holds a grudge against his former team in the Minnesota Twins. For the second straight night, Big Papi hit two home runs against them.
This time it wasn’t for naught as the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 9-4 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN on Wednesday night.
After having four hits the night before, Ortiz had three hits, including the two home runs and two RBIs. Grady Sizemore added two hits and two RBIs while Xander Bogaerts had two hits.
A.J. Pierzynski also had a hit and two RBI. Will Middlebrooks, Mike Napoli and Dustin Pedroia all had an RBI as well.
Felix Doubront started this one and had one of his better, if not best starts of the 2014 season. He allowed one run on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 innings. Burke Badenhop allowed an unearned run over 1.2 innings while Edward Mujica‘s struggles continued as he gave up a two runs in the 9th.
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 the enemy news, check out the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune websites.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credit: getty images
Three National Champions At UConn, Three Perfect APR Scores
STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut men’s basketball, women’s basketball and field hockey teams, all of which won NCAA national championships this past year, were three of the 14 Husky squads that posted perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores during the 2012-13 academic year.
The NCAA announced its latest report of the APR for all Division I schools on Wednesday, which included single-year scores for 2012-13 and four-year multi-year scores from 2009-13.
“I want to congratulate our men’s basketball, women’s basketball and field hockey teams for achieving the highest pinnacle both athletically and academically,” said UConn Director of Athletics Warde Manuel.
The 1000 score by the Husky men’s basketball team was its third outstanding score in a row as it posted a 978 in its national championship year of 2010-11 and a 947 in 2011-12.
“Our men’s and women’s basketball programs have shown the country that you can win multiple national championships and have outstanding academic success,” said Manuel. “I want to commend head coaches Kevin Ollie and Geno Auriemma and their staffs for the outstanding work that they have done with their young men and women.”
The UConn women’s basketball team also had a four-year APR rate of 989 to go along with its single-year 1000 score.
“The entire country watched our men’s and women’s basketball teams earn dual national championships for our University this past spring,” said Manuel. “Now, the country knows that these teams are both champions academically as well.
The UConn field hockey team had a perfect 1000 score in both their single-year and multi-year scores.
“The University of Connecticut is very lucky to have head coach Nancy Stevens leading our field hockey program,” said Manuel. “Her team consistently performs at a national level while enjoying incredible athletic success.”
A total of 14 UConn teams earned a perfect 1000 APR score for the 2012-13 academic year – including men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s cross country, field hockey, men’s golf, women’s rowing, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field and volleyball.
Five UConn teams had perfect 1000 four-year APR scores – men’s cross country, field hockey, men’s golf, women’s tennis and men’s outdoor track and field while 20 UConn teams scored 970 or better in that mark.
“All of our student-athletes in each of our 24 sports are committed to excellence in both academics and athletics,” said Manuel. “I want to recognize all of them for the outstanding dedication that they show in the classroom each and every day.
“I also want to acknowledge the dedication of our staff of the Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes. They care deeply about the success of our student-athletes and are committed to helping them gain success in the classroom.”
Among the other highlights for UConn in the latest NCAA report were:
* A multi-year score of 957 for the football team during a time period in which UConn played in bowl games in two seasons. The football team’s score is six points higher than the average score for all football teams nationally. The football team also had a 964 score in 2012-13, which was a point above the national FBS average.
* A multi-year score of 978 for the baseball team during a time in which it qualified for three NCAA tournaments and appeared in the 2011 Super Regionals.
* A multi-year score of 1000 for the men’s outdoor track and field team and a 995 for the men’s indoor track and field team during a period when the Huskies won five combined Big East Conference championships.
* A multi-year score of 986 for the women’s indoor track and field team and a 990 for the women’s outdoor track and field team during a period when the Huskies won six combined ECAC championships.
* A 989 four-year score for the women’s lacrosse team, including a 984 in 2012-13, the year the Huskies made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Last week, the NCAA announced that three UConn athletic programs were recognized for top academic performance as part of the NCAA’s academic reform program. Based on their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rates, the UConn field hockey, men’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field and women’s tennis programs have earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards. These awards are given each year to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with their APRs.
Auriemma and Ollie Honored by the New York Athletic Club With Prestigious Winged Foot Award
New York – University of Connecticut head men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie and head women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma were honored as recipients of the 2014 Winged Foot Award on Tuesday evening at the New York Athletic Club in New York. The Winged Foot Award honors the national champion men’s and women’s basketball coaches. Auriemma received the award for the eighth time while Ollie earned his first.
The men’s basketball Winged Foot Award was instituted in 1996 while the women’s award began in 1999.
Approximately 450 guests attended Wednesday evening’s dinner and awards ceremony in Manhattan, which was emceed by longtime college basketball television analyst Billy Packer and included comments from Auriemma, Ollie, former UConn men’s basketball coaches Dee Rowe and Jim Calhoun and former men’s basketball standout Donny Marshall.
Auriemma led UConn to its ninth national championship in 2013-14 and took home the championship hardware in undefeated fashion for the fifth time. UConn finished the year 40-0 and defeated Notre Dame, 79-58, in the national title game in Nashville. Auriemma sports an 879-133 record in 29 years as head coach in Storrs.
Ollie led the Huskies to a 32-8 record en route to their fourth national championship this past season. The Winged Foot honor is the fourth for a UConn head coach, marking the most won by any men’s basketball program. Ollie is 52-18 after completing his second year as head coach.
About the New York Athletic Club
The New York Athletic Club was founded in 1868 by Henry Buermeyer, John Babcock and William Curtis. All were accomplished athletes with a singular commitment to the growth and development of amateur sport in the United States. Furthermore, they possessed the foresight to realize that the time was right to introduce some organization – and uniformity of measurement – into sporting endeavors across the country, if not around the world. So, on September 8th of that year, Buermeyer, Curtis and Babcock, with 11 other similarly inclined sportsmen, gathered in a Manhattan tavern known as the Knickerbocker Cottage for the first meeting of what would become the NYAC. Though all were men of vision, none could have foreseen the impact their club would have on the world of amateur and Olympic sport.
It is impossible to detail the entire accomplishments – both sporting and commercial – of the New York Athletic Club and its members. Suffice it to say that the Club holds a unique place in the sporting pantheon, a position it bolsters with each passing year.
Forty NYAC athletes competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. These athletes continued a tradition that began over 140 years ago, a tradition illustrating all that can be accomplished by individuals of ability, vision and commitment, individuals who comprise the cornerstone of the New York Athletic Club.
NYAC members have won 119 Olympic gold medals, 53 silver medals and 59 bronze medals.
Sue Bird
Swin Cash
Tina Charles
Stefanie Dolson
Kelly Faris
Diana Taurasi
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