After taking two-of-three from the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox return to the park for the first time where their 2011 season ended, Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tonight they’ll take on the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a three-game set.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN 2. 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 turnaround in his ninth start of 2012. In his previous eight starts, Buchholz is 4-2 with a 7.77 ERA. He’s made one start against the Orioles, taking a no decision in the 17 inning affair on May 6th. In that start, he allowed five runs in 3.2 innings. Overall in his career, Buchholz has made 11 appearances (10 starts) against the Birds and is 5-3 with a 3.79 ERA. Six of those appearances (five starts) have come at Camden Yards where he is 3-2 with a 4.94 ERA.

Tommy Hunter is also making his ninth start of the season for the surprising Orioles. In his previous eight starts, Hunter is 2-2 with a 4.78 ERA. He was matched up against Buchholz in the 17 inning game and also took a no decision after allowing five runs in 4.1 innings of work. He’s made seven career starts against the visiting nine from Beantown and is 2-1 with a 7.02 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:

20-21		27-15
1. Mike Aviles	SS	1. Xavier Avery	LF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. David Ortiz	DH	4. Adam Jones	CF
5. Will Middlebrooks	3B	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Chris Davis	1B
7. Daniel Nava	LF	7. Wilson Betemit	3B
8. Marlon Byrd	CF	8. Nick Johnson	DH
9. Che-Hsuan Lin	RF	9. Robert Andino	2B
Clay Buchholz	SP	Tommy Hunter	SP

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

Notes: Cody Ross could be out for a few months after MRI discovered fracture in his foot. He’ll go the DL tomorrow with Kevin Youkilis likely taking his spot 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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In search of the Yaz lookalike [Boston Herald]

Cody Ross fractures navicular bone in left foot [Clubhouse Insider]

How can Red Sox keep Youk and Middlebrooks? Put Gonzo in outfield [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox notebook: State of the Sox [CSN New England]

Has anything changed with Josh Beckett? [CSN New England]

Ross (broken foot) expected to be out two months [CSN New England]

Virtual Linsanity, Vol. 2 [CSN New England]

Sox, Sweeney play it safe, will sit Monday [CSN New England]

Ross has broken bone in foot, appears headed to DL [ESPN Boston]

Aviles rising to the challenge at shortstop [Extra Bases]

Cody Ross could be headed for disabled list [Extra Bases]

Cody Ross has broken navicular bone in foot [Extra Bases]

Throwing around some lineup ideas [Extra Bases]

Melancon Dominating Triple-A [45 Miles From Fenway]

New card on the biggest and now saddest rivalry in sports [Jockular]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Is Backbone to Solid Catching Duo and Other Thoughts From the Week in Baseball [NESN.com]

Mike Aviles Looks to Continue Hot Hitting When Red Sox Invade Baltimore to Open Three-Game Set [NESN.com]

Report: Kevin Youkilis’ Rehab Being Monitored by Phillies, Indians [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Shows Passion, Leadership by Organizing Team Meeting in Red Sox Clubhouse [NESN.com]

Red Sox Take Train for Short Trip From Philadelphia to Baltimore [NESN.com]

Will Middlebrooks, Kelly Shoppach, Other Red Sox Players Showing Enthusiasm on Twitter Recently [NESN.com]

Vote: Will Jarrod Saltalamacchia Hit 20 Home Runs This Season? [NESN.com]

Cody Ross Has Fractured Navicular Bone in Foot, Headed to Disabled List [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Poe [Projo Sox Blog]

Ross headed to DL; Sweeney still out [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz, Red Sox aim to trim O’s division lead [RedSox.com]

Walk this way: Better health lies ahead [RedSox.com]

Ross out indefinitely with left foot fracture [RedSox.com]

Ross to DL with broken foot [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Gonzalez on RF: ‘Whatever the team needs’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

Usually on Memorial Day, July 4th and September 11th, MLB has special Stars & Stripes hats for the teams to wear on those days. This year, they changed things up.

All 30 MLB teams will be sporting their regular or alternate hats with their logos done in camouflage. Here’s what the Red Sox two hats look like:

Click on image to enlarge picture

All proceeds from the hats will go to the Welcome Back Veterans Fund.

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

Three starts ago, Josh Beckett was booed off the mound at Fenway Park and people were questioning his commitment to the Boston Red Sox given his comments after that start.

He responded in his next start by throwing seven shutout innings. But one start does not mean things were completely better. I think after his latest start, we don’t need to question Beckett about anything anymore.

Beckett came out yesterday and threw seven more scoreless innings before being touched up for a run in the 8th. But with the Red Sox enjoying the lead, the bullpen finished off the 5-1 win to give the Red Sox their eighth win in their last 10 games. More importantly, they moved back to within one game of the .500 mark at 20-21.

Why people are still asking about Beckett’s velocity is beyond me. He’s not 21 anymore and throwing gas like he used to be. He’s now consistently in the 91-94 MPH range and when he had a changeup and nasty curveball yesterday, it really shouldn’t matter how fast he throws.

Beckett was efficient as well. Of course when you have good command and location on your pitches, it helps in that as well.

Look you don’t have to like Beckett at all. I know there are some people out there who don’t like the way he carries himself with his arrogance or cockiness. That really shouldn’t matter as long as he goes out and does his job each time.

Beckett also went 1-for-3 at the plate and that one hit was a 400 foot single that narrowly missed being a home run by a foot or two.

For the second straight day, Mike Aviles helped the Red Sox get out in front as he led off the game with another home run. He added another RBI in the 2nd with a single.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia may want to get knocked in the head more often. For the second straight game, he hit another home run. This time, it was a very long three-run homer. He has been on a pretty good streak recently and Bobby Valentine has been riding him so to speak.

It’s rare to see a catcher catch a day game after a night game in this day and age. And with Salty being injured on Friday night, it was also quite surprising. But when a player is hitting the ball like Salty, you have to continue to use him. Oh, and it was also the second straight start that he has caught Beckett, both of which have gone pretty well.

The Red Sox are off to Baltimore now to take on the first place Orioles. A sweep would go a long way to continue the turnaround but I think everyone would be happy with two of three. Hopefully Clay Buchholz can continue his good pitching and keep the good times rolling.

We’ll be back later on today 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

Beckett brilliant for Sox [Boston Globe]

Bird watching next for together team [Boston Globe]

Don’t expect Matsuzaka soon [Boston Globe]

Josh Beckett superb in Sox win [Boston Herald]

Sizzling Sox catcher rates as AL’s best [Boston Herald]

Orioles still perched in 1st [Boston Herald]

Aviles provides pop atop order [Boston Herald]

Red Sox keep Cliff Lee on the skids [Boston Herald]

An inside look: Living through 12 pitches with Adrian Gonzalez [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Beckett again spectacular in win over Phils, 5-1 [CSN New England]

Aviles, Saltalamacchia stay hot in Philadelphia [CSN New England]

Beckett dominates in second straight outing [CSN New England]

Injury notes: Youkilis set to return; Matsuzaka suffers setback [CSN New England]

Felger to Ortiz: ‘Bravo!’ [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 5, Phillies 1 [ESPN Boston]

Aviles credits Ortiz for calling team meeting [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka’s rehab on hold with strained trapezius [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox rotation central to team’s turnaround [ESPN Boston]

Video: Cafardo’s analysis of Sox-Phillies [Extra Bases]

Nuggetpalooza: Stats notes from a very positive Red Sox weekend [Full Count]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Turns in Stellar Performance After Predicting Hot Hitting in Text to Bobby Valentine [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Shows Passion, Leadership by Organizing Team Meeting in Red Sox Clubhouse [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett ‘Wanted It Badly,’ Helps Red Sox Find Their Fire Again [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Won’t Make Next Scheduled Rehab Start Due to Cortisone Injection, Will Likely Start Rehab Again [NESN.com]

Mike Aviles Shrugs Off His Own Home Runs But Notes Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s Hot Hitting (Video) [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett Says He ‘Just Swings in One Spot’ When Batting, Credits Defense in Win (Video) [NESN.com]

Carl Crawford Says He’s ‘Closer,’ Itching to Get Back to Red Sox (Video) [NESN.com]

Is Jonathan Papelbon the Most Reliable Closer in the Major Leagues? [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Fire Over Weekend Something Red Sox Fans Can Relate to, Appreciate [NESN.com]

Youkilis may rejoin Red Sox on Tuesday [RedSox.com]

Dice-K won’t make next rehab start Tuesday [RedSox.com]

Adrian, Papi both in lineup; Sweeney, Ross sit [RedSox.com]

Aviles makes it two leadoff homers in two days [RedSox.com]

Third Run to Home Base held at Fenway [RedSox.com]

Swinging hot bat, Salty catches Beckett [RedSox.com]

Drama aside, Red Sox should be contenders [RedSox.com]

Beckett, Salty team up for series win over Phils [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 Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer websites. You can also check out out Bloguin brother Macho Row.

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

photo credit: AP Photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn Targets Harper, McCall, Turner Named to U-17 Team [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Harper, McCall, Turner Discuss Making U.S. U-17 Team [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Concludes Foreign Tour With 2-0 Victory [UConnHuskies.com]

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

If you were one of the many out there that thought Jarrod Saltalamacchia would end up on the disabled list after getting 12 stitches in his ear after Friday’s game, you were thinking like me. And guess what, we were totally wrong.

Instead, Salty found himself behind the plate for the second straight night. But it wasn’t what he did behind it, rather what he did at it.

Supposedly, Salty texted Bobby Valentine and said he’d be ready for the game last night and that he had a bomb in. Even if that’s not true, Salty did deliver a home run, one of the solo variety in the 4th that came one at bat after Will Middlebrooks launched his 5th of the season. All told on the night Salty was 3-for-4 at the plate falling a triple short of the cycle.

Mike Aviles got only one hit on the evening but it was a lead-off home run to start the game off of Joe Blanton. David Ortiz got the start at first base and showed why the NL should abolish the pitcher hitting in interleague games as he went 2-for-4 including a monstrous two-run homer.

Ironically enough, it wasn’t what Adrian Gonzalez did at the plate (0-for-4) but what he did in the outfield. While he was the only starter without a hit not including the pitcher’s spot, he made two great catches in right field.

We all had high hopes for Jon Lester after his complete game effort last time out. But this time around, he wasn’t all that good. He found himself in trouble for the latter part of his start. He threw mostly fastballs and at times during his outing, you couldn’t tell the difference between his fastball and cutter. And when that happens good things aren’t going to happen.

He did get the win despite allowing four runs in six innings of work on eight hits and a walk. This was the fourth time this season where he finished with three or less strikeouts (he had three).

The bullpen was pretty solid although Vicente Padilla was charged with allowing one run. And honestly if it weren’t for this spectacular catch by Ryan Sweeney, the outcome of this game could have been quite different. Rich Hill did his job by getting the only batter he faced.

Alfredo Aceves was asked to get a four-out save and did exactly that while making it interesting as usual.

On a night where Lester wasn’t at his best, the Red Sox offense did the job and the bullpen helped out. It was nice to see that even when one part wasn’t working that the other two facets of the game got the job done. When all three are on, we know the Red Sox are a great team.

But you take what you can get on a nightly basis. Fortunately, this was one ended up in a Red Sox win.

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.

After winning 7-5 last night, the Boston Red Sox look to leave the City of Brotherly Love with a series win in the rubber game of a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Phillies television market, you can catch the game on Philadelphia 17. And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as TBS will have national coverage of the game outside of the Red Sox and Phillies markets. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

One of the better hitting pitchers the Red Sox have, Josh Beckett, gets the ball for the eighth time this season. In his previous seven starts, Beckett is 3-4 with a 4.97 ERA. He took the loss in his only start against the Phillies in 2011 when he allowed five runs in six innings of work. Beckett has made 20 career appearances (18 starts) against the Phillies and is 8-5 with a 4.18 ERA. He’s made four of those career starts as a member of the Red Sox and is 2-2 with a 5.33 ERA. Beckett has made nine career appearances (eight starts) in the City of Brotherly Love and is 2-4 with a 5.17 ERA. Five of those starts have come at Citizens Bank Park where he is 2-3 with a 6.52 ERA.

After missing some time with an oblique injury, Cliff Lee will make just his sixth start of 2012. In his previous five starts, Lee is 0-1 with a 1.95 ERA. He picked up the win after throwing a complete game shutout in his only start against the Red Sox last season. Overall in his career, Lee is 3-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 11 career starts against the visiting nine.

Here are today’s lineups:

19-21		21-20
1. Mike Aviles	SS	1. Jimmy Rollins	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Juan Pierre	LF
3. David Ortiz	1B	3. Shane Victorino	CF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	4. Hunter Pence	RF
5. Will Middlebrooks	3B	5. Ty Wigginton	3B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. John Mayberry	1B
7. Daniel Nava	LF	7. Freddy Galvis	2B
8. Marlon Byrd	CF	8. Brian Schneider	C
9. Josh Beckett	P	9. Cliff Lee	P
Josh Beckett	SP	Cliff Lee	SP

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

Notes: With the Red Sox short on outfielders right now, they have recalled Che-Hsuan Lin from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, they optioned Mauro Gomez to the PawSox.

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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Red Sox piece it together in Philly [Boston Globe]

Sweeney grabs attention [Boston Globe]

Pitching decision: Try to save games or save the money? [Boston Globe]

Ross dealing with left foot injury [Boston Globe]

This is the last place they want to be [Boston Globe]

Veteran jogs to aid injured comrades [Boston Globe]

Take it to the Bank [Boston Herald]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia right back in there [Boston Herald]

Cody Ross limps out of already-thin outfield [Boston Herald]

Ryan Sweeney on center stage [Boston Herald]

Sox putting new spin on rotation [Boston Herald]

Source: Lavarnway was in Philadelphia [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Ortiz back at 1B, Gonzalez in RF for banged up Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Why Gonzalez owns Cliff Lee [Clubhouse Insider]

Bobby V on Saltalamacchia: ‘We might as well ride that horse’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox flex muscles, down Phils, 7-5 [CSN New England]

Saltalamacchia returns to lineup with a vengeance [CSN New England]

Defensive gems save Red Sox [CSN New England]

Report: Red Sox held ‘heated’ meeting May 11 [CSN New England]

Gonzalez to RF, Ortiz to 1B for depleted Sox [CSN New England]

Jim Kaat’s take on Daniel Bard [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 7, Phillies 5 [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox’s unlikely OF trio of Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney, Adrian Gonzalez save the day [ESPN Boston]

Sox remain short on OF, add Lin [ESPN Boston]

Saltalamacchia gets the call again [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox call up Lin, option Gomez [Extra Bases]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the sluggingest catcher in the American League [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz Play Flawless Defense Despite Position Changes [NESN.com]

Ryan Sweeney’s Spectacular Diving Catch Proved to Be Game-Saving Play for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Remains Confident in Adrian Gonzalez’ Abilities in Outfield as David Ortiz Starts at First Base [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Lineup Choices Help Red Sox Find Power, Confidence on Offense [NESN.com]

Rich Hill Gives Teammate’s Perspective on Great Career of Kerry Wood (Video) [NESN.com]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Will Try to Make Big Night Spill Over Into Series Finale Against Phillies [NESN.com]

Cody Ross Relieved There Aren’t Broken Bones in His Foot, Expects to Avoid Disabled List [NESN.com]

Ryan Sweeney Undergoes Concussion Tests, Could Be Candidate for MLB’s New Seven-Day Disabled List [NESN.com]

Hamden’s Joe Castiglione enjoying a storied career as Red Sox broadcaster [New Haven Register]

With Ross and Sweeney questionable, Lin called up [Projo Sox Blog]

Britton recovering from rocky start this time around [Projo Sox Blog]

With Ross and Sweeney questionable, Lin called up [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine reflects on first ejection with Sox [RedSox.com]

Cook nears rehab stint; Dice-K’s next start iffy [RedSox.com]

Youk few games from return, says Valentine [RedSox.com]

Salty takes licking, but back in lineup Saturday [RedSox.com]

Ross sits; Sweeney, Papi banged up in win [RedSox.com]

Adrian, Papi both in lineup; Sweeney, Ross sit [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 Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer websites. You can also check out out Bloguin brother Macho Row.

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

photo credit: Getty Images, Reuters Pictures, Reuters Pictures

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Scheduling visits is next step for Saniya Chong [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Recruiting misses hardly a surprise [New Haven Register]

Video: Breanna Stewart [USA Basketball]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Recruiting Spotlight: Stevie Clark [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

UConn men to learn what playing just for pride is all about [CT Post]

For UConn’s Enosch Wolf, A Big Man’s Big Chance [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Shuts Out Irish in Regular Season Finale [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Hockey East might add UConn next [The Union Leader]

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

After falling last night 6-4, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in the second game of a three-game interleague set with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on FOX to 39% of the country. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester makes his ninth start of the season for manager Bobby Valentine. In his previous eight starts, Lester is 2-3 with a 3.71 ERA. He made one start against the Phillies in 2011 and picked up the win after firing seven shutout innings. He’s had good success against the Phillies in his career as he is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA (1 ER/21 IP) in three starts.  All three of those starts have come at Citizens Bank Park.

Joe Blanton makes his ninth appearance (eighth start) of 2012 for manager Charlie Manuel who returns to the bench after a one-game suspension. In his previous eight appearances (seven starts), Blanton is 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA. He didn’t face the Red Sox in 2011 and last faced them in 2010 when he took the loss after allowing nine runs in just four innings of work. Blanton has made 10 career starts against the Red Sox and is 3-3 with a 4.70 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:

18-21		21-19
1. Mike Aviles	SS	1. Jimmy Rollins	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. John Mayberry	LF
3. David Ortiz	1B	3. Shane Victorino	CF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	4. Hunter Pence	RF
5. Will Middlebrooks	3B	5. Carlos Ruiz	C
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Ty Wigginton	3B
7. Ryan Sweeney	CF	7. Hector Luna	1B
8. Daniel Nava	LF	8. Freddy Galvis	2B
9. Jon Lester	P	9. Joe Blanton	P
Jon Lester	SP	Joe Blanton	SP

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

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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After piercing his ear, Jarrod Saltalamacchia back in Red Sox’ lineup [Clubhouse Insider]

The Baseball Show: Where’s Gonzalez’s power? [CSN New England]

The Baseball Show: ‘an old baseball move’ [CSN New England]

The Baseball Show: Daniel Bard is a project [CSN New England]

The Baseball Show: Patience not a virtue in Red Sox Nation [CSN New England]

Salty back in lineup after receiving 12 stitches [CSN New England]

Ross injury comes at bad time for Sox [CSN New England]

The Bard experiment isn’t working out [Extra Bases]

The Sox could extend Dice-K’s rehab [Extra Bases]

Joe Blanton Reflects on Allowing Daniel Nava’s Memorable Grand Slam, Says He Got ‘[Butt] Kicked’ [NESN.com]

Should the National League Adopt the Designated Hitter During All Interleague Games? [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Tasked With Cooling Down Carlos Ruiz, Hunter Pence, Red-Hot Phillies [NESN.com]

Nick Punto Plans to Wear World Series Ring for ‘A While,’ Says Tony La Russa Content With Retirement (Photos) [NESN.com]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Grateful His Injury Wasn’t Serious Despite Needing 12 Stitches for Ear Laceration [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Remains Confident in Adrian Gonzalez’ Abilities in Outfield as David Ortiz Starts at First Base [NESN.com]

Oral history: As Daniel Nava meets Joe Blanton again, a look back [Projo Sox Blog]

Bradley’s work on patience paying off [Projo Sox Blog]

One night after head injury, Saltalamacchia back in the lineup [Projo Sox Blog]

Ross out of the lineup with foot injury [Projo Sox Blog]

Cook still making progress, future uncertain [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester looks to remain spotless in Philadelphia [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

While Jonathan Papelbon and his Cinco Ocho alter-ego were hoping they would get a chance to shutdown his former Boston Red Sox teammates, I think collectively we were all hoping the new Philadelphia Phillies closer wouldn’t get that chance. It’s either that or we were hoping that if he did, he gave Phillies fans a heart attack like he did to us over the past six years.

It turned out Paps did get his chance and although it wasn’t against the guys he really wanted to face, he got the job done to secure a 6-4 win for the Phillies on Friday night.

Despite out-hitting the Phillies 8-6 and out homering them 3-2, the Red Sox were done in by the inability of Daniel Bard to find the strike zone in the 1st inning. Actually he struggled with his command and location all game long but it was the that 1st inning where the Phillies did most of their damage.

He walked three of the first four batters he faced with the third one loading up the bases. The one who didn’t reach, Juan Pierre, grounded out to second. Carlos Ruiz then singled in two runs, Ty Wigginton followed with a sac fly and that was followed by a John Mayberry RBI double. And just like that the Red Sox were trailing 4-0.

The Red Sox would claw back to within two runs when Mike Aviles homered off a Cole Hamels changeup in the 3rd inning and on Daniel Nava‘s sac fly in the 4th. But Hunter Pence would give the Phillies a three-run cushion with a monstrous solo blast in the 5th. Cody Ross (6th inning) and Adrian Gonzalez (8th inning) would add solo home runs of their own to cut the lead to 5-4.

But Franklin Morales finally turned mortal on the road and allowed a solo home run to Freddy Galvis that was enough cushion for Paps to do his job in the 9th.

I know that Daisuke Matsuzaka is supposedly not close enough to returning but the Red Sox do need to make a decision on what to do with him. Not only that but they’ll also have Aaron Cook returning from the 15-day DL in a few days. Given the way the bullpen has pitched, it’s hard to justify any one of them going down and unless an injury situation pops up for a starter, they decision won’t be any easier.

I really don’t see the Red Sox going with a six-man rotation at all. My personal feelings are that someone in the bullpen will have to be sent down with Bard going back down there, at least for the rest of the season. I think Bard can be a fine starter down the road but until he can workout his command issues, he’s not really helping the Red Sox any more.

He was one of the most consistent starters earlier in the season but that’s not the case now. He hasn’t been able to strikeout as many batters as he did early on. Part of that is command and location, the other part is velocity.

We all knew there was going to be growing pains with him but there comes a time and a place where something needs to be done. If they do decide Dice-K is ready to contribute in the big leagues, it only makes sense to put Bard and not Felix Doubront back in the pen.

We’ll be back later on today 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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With Bard wild, Red Sox quickly lose control [Boston Globe]

Papelbon saved his best for after the game [Boston Globe]

Injuries take out Saltalamacchia and Ross [Boston Globe]

Ticket shock [Boston Globe]

Wild Daniel Bard, ump rile up ejected Bobby Valentine [Boston Herald]

Same old Jonathan Papelbon rings up Sox [Boston Herald]

Will Middlebrooks soaks it all in [Boston Herald]

Give Kevin Youkilis a chance [Boston Herald]

The education of Daniel Bard marches on [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Red Sox can’t climb out of early hole, fall 6-4 to Phils [CSN New England]

Bard’s control issue out of control [CSN New England]

Injuries continue to pile up for Red Sox [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Phillies 6, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Sox running out of time on Dice-K decision [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox suffer litany of indignities at Philadelphia Phillies [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Jonathan Papelbon, Cinco Ocho, rest of Phillies top Red Sox [Full Count]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia ‘Shook Up’ After Ear Laceration, Leaving Red Sox Uncertain of Next Move [NESN.com]

Jenny Dell Sparks ‘Best Cheesesteak in Philly’ Debate on Twitter [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard Admits to Being in Funk, Bobby Valentine Frustrated With Pitcher’s Walk Total [NESN.com]

Cody Ross Undergoes X-Rays After Fouling Ball Off Foot, Hoping for the Best Regarding Injury [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard Shoulders Blame for Loss to Phillies, Still Working Out Some Kinks in Delivery (Video) [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Ejection Could Trigger Emergence of Whole New Side of Red Sox Skipper [NESN.com]

Jonathan Papelbon Brags That He Has ‘Ice in His Veins’ Closing Against Former Team [NESN.com]

Results aside, Dice-K pleased with outing [RedSox.com]

Hill has nothing but high praise for Wood [RedSox.com]

Close play at first leads to Valentine’s ejection [RedSox.com]

Salty, Ross get banged up in loss to Phillies [RedSox.com]

Papi out of lineup, but pinch-hits in eighth [RedSox.com]

Bard’s wildness, Papelbon’s gas sink Red Sox [RedSox.com]

As Youk progress, Middlebrooks struggling [RedSox.com]

La Russa presents Punto with World Series ring [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 Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer websites. You can also check out out Bloguin brother Macho Row.

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

Big East post-spring power rankings [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered a question in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

A final farewell to Memorial Stadium [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn recruiting targets taking their time [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn contacts ex-Virginia Tech commit Harrell [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

USC coach O’Neill: “Any situation like this decimates your basketball team” [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Marzi’s Hard Luck Continues in Loss to Notre Dame [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn’s Ryan Fuller Fulfills His Baseball Dream [Hartford Courant]

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

After splitting a two-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox continue their eight-game road trip with the start of interleague play in the City of Brotherly Love. Tonight, they’ll take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Phillies television market, you can catch the game on Comcast SportsNet Philly. And if you don’t live in either market you are in luck as MLB Network will also have coverage of the game. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Daniel Bard looks to even up his record in his eighth appearance (seventh start) of 2012. In his previous seven appearances (eight starts), Bard is 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA. Bard made one appearance in 2011 against the Phillies and had no record with 0.00 ERA (0 ER/1 IP). All of his four career appearances against the Phillies have come in the City of Brotherly Love where he has no record with a 9.82 ERA (4 ER/3.2 IP).

Cole Hamels has been solid for the Phillies this season and will be making his eighth start of the year. In his previous seven starts, Hamels is 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA. He made one appearance against the Red Sox in 2011 and picked up a no decision after four scoreless innings. Hamel has made four career starts against the Red Sox and is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA (4 ER/25 IP).

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:

18-20		20-19
1. Mike Aviles	SS	1. Jimmy Rollins	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Juan Pierre	LF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Shane Victorino	CF
4. Cody Ross	RF	4. Hunter Pence	RF
5. Will Middlebrooks	3B	5. Carlos Ruiz	C
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Ty Wigginton	3B
7. Daniel Nava	LF	7. John Mayberry	1B
8. Marlon Byrd	CF	8. Freddy Galvis	2B
9. Daniel Bard	P	9. Cole Hamels	P
Daniel Bard	SP	Cole Hamels	SP

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

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

Papelbon: ‘Cinco’s always got the advantage’ [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Matsuzaka: ‘I feel fine right now’ [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Facing the Phillies sparks memory of Daniel Nava’s smashing debut [Clubhouse Insider]

Papelbon ready to take on the Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Matsuzaka: ‘I’m at a good place right now’ with mechanics [Clubhouse Insider]

Playing the Sox is weird for Pap . . . but not for Cinco [CSN New England]

Report: Oswalt throws bullpen session for Red Sox [CSN New England]

Halladaaay! . . . Celebraaate! [CSN New England]

And the Gonzalez streak goes on [CSN New England]

Papelbon — or is it Cinco? — looks to earn bragging rights vs. Sox [CSN New England]

Dice-K “at a good place” with rehab [CSN New England]

Is Youkilis on the trading block? [CSN New England]

Hot Button: Middlebrooks or Youkilis? [ESPN Boston]

Papelbon looking forward to facing ex-mates [ESPN Boston]

Report: Oswalt throws for Red Sox [Extra Bases]

MLB suspends Manuel for tonight’s game [Extra Bases]

Papelbon, and alter ego Cinco-Ocho, can’t wait for Sox-Phillies series [Extra Bases]

David Ortiz on deck for Saturday’s game [Extra Bases]

Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon in spotlight after comments about Red Sox [Full Count]

Kevin Millar on M&M: ‘I like Adrian [Gonzalez] with a little fire’ [Full Count]

Cody Ross returns to the city that hates him [Full Count]

The creator of Cinco Ocho, Alex Cora, explains how Jonathan Papelbon found his alter-ego [Full Count]

Which Red Sox Infielder Should Play the Most Outfield During Interleague Play? [NESN.com]

Red Sox Mailbag: Kevin Youkilis’ Return May Mean Return to Pawtucket for Will Middlebrooks [NESN.com]

Boston, Philadelphia Set to Face Off Once Again in a Battle for Sports Supremacy [NESN.com]

Vote: Does Bobby Valentine or Charlie Manuel Face a Tougher Challenge as Manager This Season? [NESN.com]

Jonathan Papelbon Looking for Bragging Rights Against Red Sox, Wants to Strike Out ‘Big Sloppy’ [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Says He’s at ‘Good Place’ in Rehab, Feels Close to Returning to Red Sox [NESN.com]

Carlos Ruiz on Fire As Phillies Host Red Sox for Three-Game Series [NESN.com]

Nick Punto Receives 2011 World Series Ring From Tony LaRussa Before Game in Philadelphia (Photo) [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Phillies and Ben Franklin [Projo Sox Blog]

Barnes continues roll for Salem [Projo Sox Blog]

Healthy, confident Matsuzaka: “I’m in a good place now” [Projo Sox Blog]

Papelbon and Cinco Ocho both looking forward to facing Red Sox [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis looking for groove during rehab games [Projo Sox Blog]

Middlebrooks hits first slump at the plate [Projo Sox Blog]

Melancon still dominating Triple-A [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard gets nod as Sox open Interleague Play [RedSox.com]

Papelbon — and alter ego — excited to face Sox [RedSox.com]

Checking on repeat players [SoxProspects.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images