Whether we want to believe it or not, recent callups Pedro Ciriaco and Mauro Gomez may have saved the season for the Boston Red Sox last night in the second game of the doubleheader.

After the New York Yankees took the first game in the afternoon and got out to 3-0 lead in the 1st inning of the second game on a Mark Teixeira home run, things were looking mighty bleak for the local nine. But the Red Sox managed to chip away against the lead scoring single runs in the 3rd and 5th innings off of Phil Hughes.

In the 6th inning, things took a change for the better as they managed to load up the bases against Hughes. And it was Ciriaco who provided the big hit as his bases clearing double gave the Red Sox a 5-3 lead

Felix Doubront gave a run back in the 7th when Andruw Jones hit a solo home run, his third of the day as he had hit two in the first game of the day-night doubleheader. The Red Sox managed to put the game away in the bottom half though.

Adrian Gonzalez led off the inning with a double and came around to score two batters later on a Ryan Sweeney triple. Sweeney had been activated before the game after spending time on the DL with a bad toe. Ryan Kalish was optioned to make room for Sweeney. Gomez followed the Sweeney triple with a RBI double. Mike Aviles pinch-ran for Gomez and he scored on a Ciriaco double.

With Daniel Nava at the plate, Ciriaco stole third and scored when Russell Martin‘s attempt to throw him out ended up down the line in left field.

Ciriaco’s speed brings a different element to the Red Sox right now with Jacoby Ellsbury out of the lineup. Obviously the stolen base is one example. Another would be in the 5th inning when Curtis Granderson made an error. Ciriaco was standing halfway between first and second watching the play develop and once he saw the ball dropped, he used his wheels to get to third base. Nick Punto brought him in for the second run of the game.

When Doubront gave up the three run homer to Teixeira in the 1st, it marked the third straight game the Red Sox found themselves trailing before they’d get their hacks. But he settled down nicely and kept his team in the game allowing the offense to mount a comeback.

The first game was quite ugly.

The Red Sox normally have good success against Freddy Garcia. But with what basically amounted to a spring training lineup, the inexperience of the lineup showed as they were very impatient with Garcia. Instead of making him work, they made a lot of first pitch swings.

Franklin Morales had been pretty dominant as a starter. The difference though it wasn’t against a lineup that is as strong as the Yankees put out on a daily basis. He left a lot of pitches out over the meat of the plate and the Yanks took advantage of that by hitting four home runs, including the aforementioned two by Jones.

Justin Germano saved the Red Sox bullpen for the second game though by throwing 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball. If it weren’t for him the Red Sox bullpen could have been in a world of hurt for the second game.

Another win for the Red Sox tonight would huge.

For starters, it would keep them above .500 and it would also keep them from being in the basement at the All-Star break. And while a win would mean they didn’t gain any ground on the Yankees over the four game series, it would keep them alive in the wild card race. Plus, there’s always what they would do at the trade deadline.

And with the the second wild card this year, things are a lot more interesting as to what teams will do, the Red Sox included.

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

Later on [boston globe]

This team has big-time trust issues [boston globe]

Garcia much more lively in this start [bston globe]

Another setback for Crawford [boston globe]

New faces help Sox rally in 2nd after losing opener [boston herald]

Sox’ numbers don’t lie [boston herald]

Fastball struggles sink Franklin Morales [boston herald]

Adrian Gonzalez’ focus singular [boston herald]

Carl Crawford hits another snag [boston herald]

Second opinions confirm Pedroia diagnosis [rob bradford – weei.com]

Ciriaco leads Red Sox to 9-5 victory over Yankees [csn new england]

Gonzalez extends hitting streak to 18 games [csn new england]

Doubront earns ninth win [csn new england]

Valentine: ‘I believe in (Gomez) as a hitter’ [csn new england]

Valentine: Ciriaco ‘a nice breath of fresh air’ [csn new england]

Germano makes strong case for rotation [espn boston]

MLB chastises Sox for showing replay [espn boston]

Depleted Sox lineup offers little resistance [espn boston]

Morales falls back to Earth vs. Yanks [espn boston]

Unlikely heroes Ciriaco, Gomez lift Sox [espn boston]

Say hello to ‘Pedro, Pedro, Pedro’ 2.0 [espn boston]

If Carl Crawford needs surgery eventually, Boston Red Sox should shut him down now [espn boston]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia: ‘We didn’t brush [Mark Teixeira] back and look what happened’ [full count]

Freddy Garcia redeems himself at Fenway [full count]

Did Justin Germano prove he can start for the Red Sox, or someone else? [full count]

Closing Time: Pedro Ciriaco, Mauro Gomez stars in Red Sox win [full count]

‘Pedro, Pedro, Pedro’ chants humble Pedro Ciriaco after breakout game: ‘I’m here for my glove’ [full count]

Nuggetpalooza’s stat of the day: Getaway Sunday [full count]

Felix Doubront Uses Determination as Tool in Red Sox Comeback Victory [nesn.com]

Mark Teixeira Should Play ‘Women’s Sport,’ Is Scared of Getting Hit by Pitches, Vicente Padilla Says [nesn.com]

Salvage effort: Ciriaco, Sox split DH [mike petraglia – weei.com]

Doubront shakes off early home run to finish first half strong [projo sox blog]

Throwback night: New Pedro ignites Red Sox [redsox.com]

Ellsbury progressing after latest rehab start [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 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.

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:

50-32		42-41
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:

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.

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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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

“I’m a lizard. I heal while I play. I’m a freak healer. I heal great.”

Dustin Pedroia on how his original thumb injury has already healed.

Quote courtesy of Mike Petraglia – WEEI.com

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

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.

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:

50-32		42-41
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:

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.

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

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 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 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 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.

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:

49-32		42-40
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:

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.

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

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

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.

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 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 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 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.

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

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

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox – 74%
ANNOUNCERS: Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Hartford, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies – 13%
ANNOUNCERS: Kenny Albert & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Atlanta, Birmingham, Greenville, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Philadelphia

Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers – 12%
ANNOUNCERS: Dick Bremer & Mitch Williams
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Austin, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Tulsa

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

I’ve got some good news and some bad news folks.

The good news is that the Boston Red Sox didn’t lose on a walkoff yesterday. The first part of the bad news is that the Oakland A’s completed the sweep of the Red Sox with a 3-2 win. The other part? Well after starting this series a 1/2 game out second place, the Red Sox now find themselves back in the basement of the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays who won yesterday.

The west coast was not kind to the Red Sox at all as they managed a grand total of 14 runs in seven games. And that showed as on the trip, they went 2-5.

It’s not entirely like they got bad starting pitching as for the most part, the exceptions being Felix Doubront and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The bullpen was outstanding in picking up Doubront and Dice-K as well as the other games as well. The main reason they went 2-5 was because the offense couldn’t do anything.

Now we expected them to have a tough night when they faced Felix Hernandez in Seattle. But after that, they couldn’t do much with the exception being Saturday night’s game where they hit four home runs.

In the past few years, the Red Sox have really struggled when they have to face a pitcher they haven’t seen. Yesterday, it was A.J. Griffin who did his best to shut down the Red Sox.

They were only able to manage three hits off of Griffin in his six innings of work. In fact, those were the only hits the Red Sox had yesterday.

One of those hits though was the 400th career home run for David Ortiz in the 4th inning. At the time, it tied up the game at one. They managed their third and final hit in the 6th inning when Adrian Gonzalez singled in Big Papi who had reached on a two-hit walk. The single, which extended Gonzo’s hitting streak to 15 games, also gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.

But that would be the last runner the Red Sox would put on base the rest of the game. And before I forget, the first Red Sox hit of the day was by Mauro Gomez. The hit for Gomez was the first of his MLB career.

Whenever you play a former team of yours, you usually get amped up a little more than normal. You want to show your former team what they were missing. The three former Red Sox on the A’s, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss took turns doing that throughout the series.

In the first game it was Reddick and Moss. Tuesday, it was Coco. And yesterday it was Coco and Moss.

Moss got the A’s on the board first with a solo home run off of Aaron Cook in the 2nd inning. Moss then reached in the 6th on a double to shortstop (that’s what the game summary says). What happened was that Moss hit a high popup just behind the grass at shortstop. But with the sun shining brightly in Oakland, Mike Aviles, Daniel Nava and Gomez couldn’t find it in the sun and the ball dropped in. Moss ended up on second because he hustled out of the box. He would eventually score two batters later when Brandon Inge doubled him in to tie the game at 2.

The A’s would get what turned out to be the winning run in the 7th and once again, a former Red Sox player played a big part. Coco took advantage of a sinker that Cook left out over the plate and nailed a triple. Andrew Miller replaced him and was greeted by a Jemile Weeks single that brought in the speedy Crisp.

Miller got Reddick to foul out and he gave way to Matt Albers who got Yoenis Cespedes to foul out as well. From there, Franklin Morales shut the A’s down for the final 1.1 innings. And before you ask, Morales is still a starter. It was his side day so Bobby Valentine had him available to pitch in the bullpen since Miller is the only lefty down there right now. The only other guy who could matchup with lefties, Clayton Mortensen, was optioned to Pawtucket before the game to make room for Justin Germano.

Look, we all know teams go through funks. Right now, it’s the offense’s turn. It’s not like the Red Sox were blown out by the Mariners and A’s in the series. They just couldn’t hit. And when you can’t hit, you can’t score runs.

Whether you want to think it is or not, this upcoming four-game set with the New York Yankees is huge. It’s the final four games before the All-Star break. The Red Sox are two games above .500 right now. If they go 1-3, they head into the All-Star break at .500 and would trail the Yanks by 10.5 games (it’s currently 7.5). If the Red Sox managed to get swept, it could determine whether or not they are buyers or sellers at the July 31st trade deadline.

One thing is for sure, they definitely don’t want that to happen. The Red Sox should get Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford back sometime after the break with Ellsbury expected to be up first before Crawford.

A nice weekend for the Red Sox could a long way right now.

With the Red Sox off today as they spent last night traveling back from the left coast, we’ll be back in a bit with the MLB on FOX breakdown for Saturday night as well as the pitching matchups for the series with the Yanks. 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

Travel problems [boston globe]

Ortiz’s 400th muted by silent offense [boston globe]

Pedroia hurts thumb again [boston globe]

Red Sox swept away by Athletics [boston herald]

Remembering Ted Williams [boston herald]

No fireworks for Red Sox [boston herald]

Thumb forces Dustin Pedroia to sit [boston herald]

David Ortiz builds Hall of a case [boston herald]

Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury go down to get back up [boston herald]

Prospects appear bright for Jackie Bradley Jr. [boston herald]

For Red Sox staff, 2 heads better than 1 [boston herald]

Will Middlebrooks: ‘I want to play’ this weekend against Yankees [clubhouse insider]

A’s sweep Sox, win 3-2 [csn new england]

Ortiz calls negotiations with Sox ‘humiliating’ and says he’s ‘open to anything’ next year [csn new england]

First Pitch: Red Sox offense has lost its grip [csn new england]

Sox had West Coast ‘trip from hell’ [csn new england]

Ross: ‘Our offense has just been terrible’ [csn new england]

Ross on Ortiz’ 400th HR: ‘Happy, proud’ and a ‘sigh of relief’ [csn new england]

Ortiz reaches milestone with No. 400 [csn new england]

Valentine: Cook ‘pitched pretty well’ [csn new england]

Ortiz joins 400 home run club [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: A’s 3, Red Sox 2 [espn boston]

Offense limps through disappointing trip [espn boston]

Video: Papi’s milestone moments [espn boston]

Ellsbury, Crawford play with Portland [espn boston]

Video: Is Ortiz Hall of Fame worthy? [espn boston]

Ortiz fed up with one-year deals [espn boston]

David Ortiz ‘humiliated’ by way Red Sox treated him in offseason [full count]

Nuggetpalooza: Stat nuggets from the Red Sox disappointing trip [full count]

Aaron Cook’s Few Mistakes Aren’t Missed by Athletics Hitters in Loss (Video) [nesn.com]

David Ortiz’s Milestone Home Run Continues to Pad His Case For Cooperstown, Top DH in History [nesn.com]

Red Sox Offense Needs More Than David Ortiz’ Milestone to Break Out of Recent Slump [nesn.com]

David Ortiz Goes Off About Contract Situation, Says Offseason Was ‘Humiliating’ [nesn.com]

Kevin Youkilis’ Play Becoming ‘Infectious’ in Chicago As White Sox Continue to Roll (Video) [nesn.com]

Middlebrooks’ sister is PawSox intern [pawtucket times]

Big Papi notches 400th career homer [redsox.com]

Gomez gets hot-corner test in first start [redsox.com]

Red Sox add Germano as reliever [redsox.com]

New thumb ailment sidelines Pedroia [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 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