After another rout last night, the Boston Red Sox look to avoid a split of their four-game series in the finale tonight against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rangers broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Southwest. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network is also scheduled to have coverage of tonight’s game. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Andrew Miller will toe the slab tonight for the Red Sox in his 10th start (12th appearance) of the season. In his previous 11 appearances (nine starts), Miller is 5-1 with a 4.99 ERA. He has not faced the Rangers this season. In fact, he’s only made one career apperance against them and that was back in 2006 when he was a member of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Alexi Ogando makes his 25th start as he looks to help his team to a split of the four-game set. In his previous 24 starts, Ogando is 12-5 with a 3.30 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox this year. He has made four career appearances against them though. All of those came in 2010 out of the bullpen in which he was 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA (1 ER/4.1 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 this evening’s lineups:

79-50		74-57
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Ian Kinsler	2B
2. Jed Lowrie	3B	2. Elvis Andrus	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Josh Hamilton	LF
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Michael Young	DH
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Nelson Cruz	RF
6. Carl Crawford	LF	6. Mike Napoli	1B
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	7. Yorvit Torrealba	C
8. Josh Reddick	RF	8. Craig Gentry	CF
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Omar Quintanilla	2B
Andrew Miller	SP	Alexi Ogando	SP

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

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

Video: Youk’s Got What You Need [SOX & Dawgs]

Hurricane Irene Forces Red Sox-A’s To Play DH on Saturday [SOX & Dawgs]

Carl Crawford knows he can salvage season with strong finish, playoff [Clubhouse Insider]

Ex-teammates in Texas, A-Gon and Young vying for batting crown [Clubhouse Insider]

Daniel Bard: Split doubleheader likely for Red Sox-A’s on Saturday [Clubhouse Insider]

1-2-3 Inning: Alfredo Aceves [CSN New England]

Epstein’s time as GM is winding down [CSN New England]

Sox players, ownership at odds over doubleheader [CSNNE.com]

Video: Writers discuss Sox-Rangers [ESPN Boston]

Miller gets the ball for Sox in series finale [ESPN Boston]

New Englanders in majors [ESPN Boston]

Miller on mound for series finale vs. Rangers [ESPN Boston]

Storm may alter rehab assignments [ESPN Boston]

Extended stay planned for Lavarnway [ESPN Boston]

No decision from Red Sox on Irene plans [Extra Bases]

Red Sox expected to play doubleheader on Saturday because of Hurricane Irene [Extra Bases]

Ken Rosenthal on D&C: Report of Mike Flanagan’s suicide ‘disturbing’ [Full Count]

Why the Red Sox need to sign Jonathan Papelbon [Kirk Minihane – WEEI.com]

Which Potential Red Sox Call Up Will Make the Biggest Impact in September? [NESN.com]

Jose Iglesias, Jesus Montero Could Play Roles in Tight AL East Race Between Red Sox, Yankees [NESN.com]

Red Sox Fans Encouraged to Create ‘Signs of Fenway’ on Sept. 4 to Win Incredible Prize Package [NESN.com]

Two Sea Dogs Named to Eastern League All-Star Team [OurSports Central]

Weiland hoping he’s back in a rhythm [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox-A’s may play 2 on Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]

Morales could be key out of pen [Projo Sox Blog]

Weather threatens Sox’ rehab plans [Projo Sox Blog]

Magadan remembers last meeting with Ryan Express [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox aim for series win vs. Rangers behind Miller [RedSox.com]

Terry Francona Voted Second-Most Popular Manager by MLB Players [SI.com]

The Book: Raul Alcantara [SoxProspects.com]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

Coming into last night’s game, Josh Beckett was getting 3.73 runs of support per game from the Boston Red Sox offense. Before he even stepped on the mound in an eventual 13-2 win over the Texas Rangers, Beckett had already gotten four runs from the offense.

It made you wonder, did the offense forget he was was pitching? Or did he have some “words of encouragement” for the boys to get him some run support?

Whatever the case may be, it was nice to see Beckett get some support and do what he does best. Now hopefully the offense can do the same thing on Friday night to get Tim Wakefield his 200th win finally.

On Tuesday night, Jacoby Ellsbury returned the lineup and the offense exploded. Last night, David Ortiz returned to the lineup and well took the first pitch he saw and lined it for a single. The much maligned Carl Crawford was the hero though for the Red Sox offense last night. Well I should say one of many heroes but he was the main catalyst.

Crawsome finished the night 2-for-3 with 5 RBIs. His two hits were a 2-run double and 2-run homer. His other RBI came on a sacrifice fly in the 5th.

For the second straight night, the every member of the starting nine had at least one hit. Ellsbury led the way with three hits including a two-run homer in the 6th inning. Adrian Gonzalez had two hits and RBIs, including his third home run in two days, and Dustin Pedroia added two hits and two RBIs to the cause as well.

Big Papi finished the night with two hits and Darnell McDonald added two hits as well.

One thing of note is that Ryan Lavarnway made his catching debut in the 8th inning last night. It was thought that he might not see anything behind the plate but obviously with such a big lead, it was a perfect time to get a little experience under his belt.

Obviously besides the win, the best part of the night is the fact that the win got the Red Sox back on top in the AL East. Thanks to former Red Sox OF Coco Crisp, the Oakland A’s beat the New York Yankees last night 6-3 in 10 innings. So be sure to buy Coco a beer if you see him out in Boston over the weekend since the A’s are coming to town.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for this evening’s game. But for now enjoy 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

Sox cruise again [Boston Globe]

Ellsbury right back on track [Boston Globe]

A real diamond sparkler [Boston Globe]

Doubleheader in forecast? [Boston Globe]

David Ortiz, Red Sox cruise again [Boston Herald]

Homers go a long way for Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Batting crown battle: Adrian Gonzalez vs. Michael Young go down to wire [Boston Herald]

John Henry downplays talk of Theo Epstein joining the Cubs [Boston Herald]

Mo Vaughn holds bond with Jimmy Fund [Boston Herald]

Sox bash Rangers again, 13-2 [CSN New England]

Red Sox mull schedule change in wake of hurricane [CSN New England]

Notes: Ortiz returns, make immediate impact [CSN New England]

1-2-3 Inning: Alfredo Aceves [CSN New England]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 13, Rangers 2 [ESPN Boston]

Video: State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]

Finally some run support for Beckett [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox lineup rampages over Rangers [Full Count]

Josh Beckett did again, this time despite a wind storm and line-drive at his head [Full Count]

Down time cannot keep Jacoby Ellsbury down [Full Count]

Kristen Montalbano Shares Fond Memories of Brother, a Former Red Sox Prospect Who Passed Away Two Years Ago After Battle With Cancer [NESN.com]

Video: Josh Beckett Can’t Choose Red Sox MVP, Glad He Doesn’t Have a Vote [NESN.com]

Carl Crawford Explodes for Five RBIs, Showing Signs of Long-Awaited Hot Streak [NESN.com]

They’re right back in swing of things [Providence Journal]

Boston’s bullpen is back in the groove [Providence Journal]

Weiland ready for strong finish in his best season yet [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Miller feeling much more confident [Providence Journal]

A reminder regarding the importance of Carl Crawford [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

C.J. Wilson Could Prove to Be More Daunting Postseason Foe for Red Sox Than Justin Verlander [Tom Caron – NESN.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 Dallas Morning News, ESPN Dallas and Ft. Worth Star Telegram websites.

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

Photo credit: Getty Images

Here’s the release from the UConn athletic department and SNY concerning coverage of the 2011 UConn Huskies football team.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – SNY, the official television home of UConn football and men’s basketball, is your place to get ready for the 2011 Husky football season.

“The 2011 UConn Football Preview Show” will air on SNY several times with its debut on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 7:00 p.m. The show will also air on Friday, Aug. 26 at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and on Monday, Aug. 29 at 11:30 a.m.

The first airing of “UConn Press Pass” – a broadcast of UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni’s weekly press conference – will take place on Monday, Aug. 29 at 11:00 a.m.

UConn opens the season vs. Fordham on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and SNY will have special reports leading up to kickoff. A rebroadcast of the game in its entirety will be aired on Friday, Sept. 2 at 11:00 a.m. and the “Huskies Power Hour” – a one-hour condensed version of the game – will air Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:00 a.m.

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 some of the other sports. 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

The Big East’s best: No. 4 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East: Five predictions [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Starting quarterback will be game time announcement [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

UConn Lands Big Lineman Rennick Bryan From Hillhouse High [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Practice Closed, DE Jesse Joseph In Knee Brace [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Practice Notes And Quotes (Aug.24) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

DC also answered a few questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Early practice report [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Joseph hurt [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Quick camp report [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Football notes: DE Joseph out with knee injury [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

2011 Football Team Preview – Connecticut Huskies [BigEast.org]

Football Nears Completion Of Camp [UConnHuskies.com]

Huskies Ready To Break From Coach Pasqualoni’s First Camp [Hartford Courant]

Malik Golden Chooses Penn State [Hartford Courant]

Starting QB will be ‘game-time’ announcement [New Haven Register]

Hillhouse’s Rennick Bryan commits to Huskies [New Haven Register]

Huskies won’t name quarterback until season opener [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn has something special in Teggart [The Day]

UConn Football Notebook — And then there was two … and a half [The Hour]

Chapman decides to end UConn football career [Westerly Sun]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Dunn Wrong [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Hey Folks … My Last Post To Say Goodbye Before Handing The Keys To Dom Amore [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Dom Amore, UConn Men’s Basketball Beat Writer, Reporting For Duty [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn recruiting target in international event [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore Named Finalist For NCAA Woman Of The Year [UConnHuskies.com]

Eight Huskies Post Double-Figure Scoring on Wednesday in Castellanza [UConnHuskies.com]

Final Full Day in Italy; Lake Como [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Rowing. Rowing Walk-On Informational Meetings Set [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Connecticut Women’s Soccer Hosts Colgate and CCSU [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Huskies Set For TCU Tournament [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. #5 Connecticut: Huskies can be much better this season [Soccer America]

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

After an offensive explosion last night, the Boston Red Sox look to do it again tonight in game three of a four-game set with the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rangers broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Southwest. If you don’t live in either market, ESPN2 will have national coverage of the game outside of the Red Sox and Rangers television markets. You can also catch the game online at ESPN3.com. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After finally picking up his 10th win in his last start, Josh Beckett goes for No. 11 on the season in his 25th start. In his previous 24 starts, Beckett is 10-5 with a 2.46 ERA. He hasn’t faced the Rangers this year and had no record with a 9.75 ERA in two starts against them in 2010.  He’s made seven career starts against the Rangers and is 2-2 with a 5.53 ERA. Four of those starts have come at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington where he is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA.

Matt Harrison is also making his 25th start of the season for the Rangers. In his previous 24 starts, Harrison is 10-8 with a 3.28 ERA. Harrison picked up the win on April 3rd in his only start against the Red Sox this season. In that outing, he allowed one run on five hits in seven innings of work. Harrison has made five career appearances (three starts) against the Red Sox and is 2-0 with a 5.68 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 this evening’s lineups:

78-50		74-56
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Ian Kinsler	DH
2. Marco Scutaro	SS	2. Elvis Andrus	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Josh Hamilton	LF
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Michael Young	3B
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Mike Napoli	C
6. Jed Lowrie	3B	6. Mitch Moreland	1B
7. Carl Crawford	LF	7. David Murphy	RF
8. Jason Varitek	C	8. Endy Chavez	CF
9. Darnell McDonald	C	9. Omar Quintanilla	2B
Josh Beckett	SP	Matt Harrison	SP

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

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

David Ortiz ready to ‘go deep’ tonight vs. Rangers [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Red Sox, A’s bracing for Hurricane Irene [Clubhouse Insider]

Lackey’s win recent stretch is deceiving [CSN New England]

Rangers Present Red Sox With More Frightening Playoff Task Than Justin Verlander, Tigers [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Olney: Would Cubs target Epstein? [ESPN Boston]

Video: W2W4 in Sox-Rangers tonight [ESPN Boston]

Video: Virtual Pitch breaks down Beckett [ESPN Boston]

Jenks to throw in minor-league game [ESPN Boston]

Storm warning has Sox scrambling [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis (back) to ramp up activity [ESPN Boston]

Drew set for 4-game rehab stint [ESPN Boston]

And down the stretch they come [Extra Bases]

Hot topic: Theo Epstein to the Cubs? [Extra Bases]

Podcast: Injuries and slumps [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Texas [Extra Bases]

Dave Magadan on M&M: Carl Crawford is ready to break out of slump [Full Count]

Terry Francona on The Big Show: John Lackey can ‘be the pitcher we need’ [Full Count]

Red Sox pregame notes: News on Andrew Miller, Steve Prefontaine, Bobby Jenks, J.D. Drew, Mark Cuban and Mother Nature [Full Count]

Arbitration Eligibles: Boston Red Sox [MLB Trade Rumors]

Pawtucket Red Sox Batters Not Fazed By Struggles at Plate, Concentrate on Improving Hitting Approach [NESN.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox Have Opportunity to Reach Playoffs For First Time Since 2008 With Successful Road Trip [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Rotation Will Reveal Terry Francona’s Priorities Regarding Race With Yankees for AL East [NESN.com]

Red Sox Should Expect Boost With David Ortiz’s Return: A Look Inside the Numbers [NESN.com]

With Hurricane Irene Approaching, Red Sox, MLB Looking at Scheduling Alternatives [NESN.com]

From Rangers’ perspective, Red Sox a better foe than Yankees [Providence Journal]

Miller ready for Thursday test [Projo Sox Blog]

Saltalamacchia happy to be with Red Sox [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox “brainstorming” contingencies for hurricane [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett aiming for second win in home state [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

While all of us backseat managers out there sometimes question the decisions that Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona makes, we do listen to what he has to say about anything and everything. One thing he’s been consistent in saying is that as the Red Sox are a more productive team with Jacoby Ellsbury in and at the top of the lineup.

So after missing three games after being hit by a pitch in Friday night’s game in Kansas City, Ellsbury returned to the lineup against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night and announced his presence with authority.

He led off the game with a single and wasted no time with Marco Scutaro at the plate by stealing second base. He would eventually come around to score on an Adrian Gonzalez two-run homer. And in the 5th inning, he made a great running catch which earned him a tip of the cap from the starter John Lackey. Yes, you read that right. 

The boost provided from Ellsbury was just part of a nice offensive night for the Red Sox as they beat the heat and the Rangers 11-5. And with that win coupled with a New York Yankees loss to the Oakland A’s, the Red Sox are back in a tie for first in the AL East.

The offense made sure that Lackey had enough run support (secretly I think Josh Beckett was jealous of it). They scored two runs in each of the first innings and added a single run in the 4th. They put the final touches on the outburt in the 8th with four runs.

It’d been a long time since Gonzo had hit a home run, July 30th to be exact. In that time, he saw Ellsbury pass him in home runs. But with two home runs last night, the 2-run johnson in the 1st and a solo shot in the 4th, he now has 20 on the season and is two behind Ellsbury. Oh and he added another hit as well to finish with three hits to increase his AL-leading average to .346.

Every member of the starting nine had at least one hit last night. Besides Gonzo’s three-hit effort, Jed Lowrie, Ryan Lavarnway and Jarrod Saltalamacchia had two hits each.

Once again, for the most part, Lackey was pretty good at the mound. He hit a rough patch in the 3rd inning when he gave three of the runs back. But with the offensive support he had that little bump in the road didn’t hurt him.

With David Ortiz returning to the lineup tonight, the offense gets a little better. Hopefully they can do what they did last night again tonight in the sweltering heat of Texas.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for this evening’s game. But for now enjoy 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

Lackey proves cool in the heat [Boston Globe]

Ortiz gets medical clearance [Boston Globe]

Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez lead Red Sox past Rangers [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz on heels of return [Boston Herald]

John Lackey finding playoff form [Boston Herald]

Ryan Lavarnway glad to be unknown commodity [Boston Herald]

Sox snap funk, beat Rangers, 11-5 [CSN New England]

Return men: Ellsbury back, Ortiz to follow [CSN New England]

Notes: Gonzalez ends HR drought with two [CSN New England]

Lackey: ‘My arm is feeling good’ [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox offense gets welcome reinforcements [ESPN Boston]

Ryan Kalish sidelined again, potentially jeopardizing season [Full Count]

Closing Time: Adrian Gonzalez homers twice as Sox down Rangers [Full Count]

John Lackey rekindles memories of Jack Lazorko, and John Lackey [Full Count]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Homers Twice in Blowout Win, Says He’s Starting to Find His Timing Again [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Prospect Garin Cecchini Feels Connection to Jimmy Fund One Year After Making Eye-Opening Donation [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Ends Home Run Drought, Signals Potential Offensive Outburst [NESN.com]

Boston finally unleashes Texas TNT [Providence Journal]

Expansion of roster will give Sox a boost [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: McDonald’s bat coming to life [Providence Journal]

Lavarnway gets bonus sessions of Camp Tuck [RedSox.com]

Saltalamacchia impressing former manager [RedSox.com]

The three players who might carry the Red Sox to where they want to go [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Is Lackey making a comeback? [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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 Dallas Morning News, ESPN Dallas and Ft. Worth Star Telegram 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 some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

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

UConn Football links

Video: Looking for a leader — UConn [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Practice report: UConn [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

New Developments At Rentschler Field Includes More Parking [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Former UConn OL Will Beatty After Giants-Bears Game [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

DC answered a plethora of questions in his mailbox [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Auburn, Boise State among 10 teams with huge holes to fill [SI.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

NCAA Sanctions for UConn Men’s Basketball [UConnHuskies.com]

Exclusive: Kris Dunn Will Commit To PC Wednesday [GoLocalProv.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Go Shopping With Maya Moore – And She Pays! [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Maya Moore Makes Cut For NCAA’s Woman Of The Year Award [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno, Lobo Express Their Feelings Regarding Summitt’s Diagnosis [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Day Seven in Italy; Huskies Visit Pisa [UConnHuskies.com]

Dolson, Hartley and Hayes Named to Preseason Wade Watch List [UConnHuskies.com]

Pat Summitt Has Early-Stage Dementia; Auriemma ‘Shocked And Saddened’ [Hartford Courant]

Maya Moore is a bobblehead [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Hosts Annual Media Day/Coaches Clinic [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Nationally ranked UConn returns lots of talent [Norwich Bulletin]

M. Soccer. Leeman likely to redshirt 1st year at UConn [Norwich Bulletin]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Ranked No. 4 In Kookaburra/NFHCA Preseason Poll [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn president makes move to clear athletic missteps [The Hour]

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

After falling last night, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on the winning side of things in the second game of a four-game set against the Texas Rangers tonight at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rangers broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Southwest. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network is also scheduled to have coverage of tonight’s game. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

John Lackey makes his 22nd start of 2011 tonight for the Red Sox. In his previous 21 starts, he is 11-9 with a 6.02 ERA. He’s made one start against the Rangers this season, taking the loss on April 2nd when he allowed nine runs in 3.2 innings of work. He’s made 34 career starts against the Rangers and is 11-13 with a 6.07 ERA. Including his start this season, Lackey has made 17 of those 34 starts at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington where he is 6-6 with a 6.78 ERA.

Colby Lewis toes the rubber for the 26th time in 2011. In his previous 25 starts, Lewis is 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA. In his lone start of 2011 against the Red Sox, he was matched up with Lackey on April 2nd. Lewis picked up the win in that game after allowing three runs in six innings of work. He’s made nine career appearances (five starts) against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 3.38 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 this evening’s lineups:

77-50		74-55
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Ian Kinsler	2B
2. Marco Scutaro	SS	2. Elvis Andrus	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Josh Hamilton	LF
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Michael Young	3B
5. Josh Reddick	RF	5. Nelson Cruz	RF
6. Jed Lowrie	3B	6. Mike Napoli	DH
7. Carl Crawford	LF	7. Mitch Moreland	1B
8. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	8. Yorvit Torrealba	C
9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	9. Endy Chavez	CF
John Lackey	SP	Colby Lewis	SP

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

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

Who is the right choice to be the Red Sox’ right fielder in the playoffs? [Clubhouse Insider]

Running man: David Ortiz tests injured heel, may play Wednesday [Clubhouse Insider]

How Jarrod Saltalamacchia passed the Rangers’ test of his throwing arm [Clubhouse Insider]

Rangers a daunting playoff foe for Sox [CSN New England]

Williams clears waivers, sent to Pawtucket [CSN New England]

Notes: Ellsbury returns to lineup [CSN New England]

Video: Sox turn to Lackey [ESPN Boston]

Video: Picking an AL MVP [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz runs on heel, says he feels ready to return [ESPN Boston]

Ellsbury back in lineup [ESPN Boston]

Sox try to break Rangers’ spell [ESPN Boston]

More hockey at Fenway this winter [Extra Bases]

What the heck is going on? [Extra Bases]

It’s 108 in Texas … let’s play baseball [Extra Bases]

Ortiz after running: ‘I felt all right’ [Extra Bases]

Kalish returns to AAA disabled list [Extra Bases]

Jackie Bradley makes Red Sox debut [Extra Bases]

A lost season: A look at Carl Crawford’s first 100 games with the Red Sox [Full Count]

Buster Olney on M&M: Red Sox unlikely to find help on August trade market [Full Count]

Dog Days of August Taking Toll on Red Sox, Rest of MLB [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Has Opportunity to Show True Value to Red Sox Upon Return in Texas [NESN.com]

Hurricane Irene on Path to Boston, Sure to Impact Red Sox Series With Oakland [NESN.com]

Red Sox Prospects Will Middlebrooks, Alex Wilson Share Thoughts on Playing at Fenway, Getting Promoted to Triple-A (Video) [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Feels Good After Testing Heel With Some Running, Just About Set to Return to Lineup [NESN.com]

Texas troubles another reason Sox should want to win AL East [Projo Sox Blog]

Bowden keeps mowing hitters down [Projo Sox Blog]

Williams back with PawSox, Kalish DL’ed [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz runs on the field, could return Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Tazawa not thinking about September yet [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury returns to lineup [Projo Sox Blog]

McDonald could be key come October [Projo Sox Blog]

Lackey is picking up steam in second half [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

Dating back to the 2010 season, Mike Napoli had homered in his last three appearances against the Boston Red Sox. He had one in his final game against them in 2010 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels and then one each in his two games earlier this season with the Texas Rangers.

Well now let’s make it four games in-a-row as his three-run home run against Erik Bedard was the straw that broke the Red Sox’s back in the Rangers 4-0 win on Monday night.

With the New York Yankees off last night, the Red Sox only lose a ½ game in the standings and sit one game behind for the lead in the AL East. The Red Sox do lead the Tampa Bay Rays by 7.5 games in the AL Wild Card standings.

C.J. Wilson has pretty much owned the Red Sox during his career as a reliever and a starter. Monday night was no different.

While they did work some counts and got his pitch count up, they really couldn’t do anything against him.  He allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out four in 6.2 innings. They definitely didn’t take advantage of their rare chances against him either.

After two base runners reached in the 1st with two outs, Wilson got Jed Lowrie to ground into a fielder’s choice. In the 7th after Lowrie singled and Ryan Lavarnway walked with one out, Wilson ended his night by getting Carl Crawford to ground into a fielder’s choice. Koji Uehara made quick work of Jarrod Saltalamacchia by getting him to ground out.

I must say this. I am quite impressed with Lavarnway’s plate discipline. In all four plate appearances, he went to a full count all four times. He didn’t end up with a hit but did walk two times while striking out.

Honestly, I don’t think Bedard pitched all that badly. He was hurt by a bad call from the umpire in the 3rd and one bad pitch to Napoli with two strikes in the count in the 6th inning.

With a runner on first base in the 3rd, Ian Kinsler lined one to right field where Josh Reddick made the catch or so we thought. The umpire ruled he trapped it. And of course, the next batter in Elvis Andrus lined a single to bring in the first run of the game for the Rangers.

The big blow though came on a 1-2 count though. After Bedard had gotten strike two on a fastball inside and low, he called Salty to the mound and told him what he wanted. What he wanted to throw was a high fastball. Well that was a mistake as Napoli blasted it out of the park. With the way he had been throwing before that, it’s quite possible this game ends 1-0 and not 4-0.

Against good pitching like the Rangers got on Monday night, it might not have mattered whether or not the Red Sox had Jacoby Ellsbury or David Ortiz in the lineup. The good news though is the Red Sox should get Ellsbury back tonight. At this point any little thing like this can only help.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for this evening’s game. But for now enjoy 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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Boiler Room: The Red Sox’ wild ride at the deadline to sign draftees [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Degree of difficulty [Boston Globe]

Miller earns another start [Boston Globe]

Reddick can’t catch a break [Boston Globe]

Sox can’t handle heat [Boston Herald]

Pitchers take high road in dealing with Pedroia [Boston Herald]

Don’t mess with Texas [Boston Herald]

All’s now going wrong [Boston Herald]

Sox bats don’t make trip to Texas, fall 4-0 [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Nine innings, nine pitchers [CSN New England]

Notes: Bedard suffers tough-luck loss [CSN New England]

Bedard good, but Wilson’s better [ESPN Boston]

Video: Sox turn to Lackey [ESPN Boston]

Texas Rangers’ Mike Napoli makes Boston Red Sox pay with homer [ESPN Boston]

Adrian Beltre has an idea what Carl Crawford is going through [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox shutout for the ninth time this season, fall to Rangers [Full Count]

Josh Reddick said he made the catch, and so did the rest of the Red Sox [Full Count]

Video: Ryan Lavarnway Continues to Adjust to Life in Major Leagues With Help From Jason Varitek, Jarrod Saltalamacchia [NESN.com]

Video: Josh Reddick Says He’s ‘100 Percent Sure’ He Caught Michael Young’s Flyball in Loss to Rangers [NESN.com]

Video: Erik Bedard’s Otherwise Impressive Start Ruined by One Pitch Resulting in Mike Napoli’s Home Run [NESN.com]

Wilson masterful, Napoli devastating for Texas [Providence Journal]

Pedroia’s stalwart defense helps his MVP chances [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Buchholz’s back is on the mend [Providence Journal]

What we learned Monday night: Red Sox fans should remember the name ‘C.J. Wilson’ [Rob Bradford – 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 and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Dallas Morning News, ESPN Dallas and Ft. Worth Star Telegram websites.

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 some of the other sports. 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.

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UConn Football links

2011 Big East Preview [College Football Zealots]

Big East 2011 College Football Previews [The XLog]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Maya Moore Now Has Her Own Bobblehead Doll [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Huskies Slam TDT Slammers in Florence [UConnHuskies.com]

Sun’s Montgomery plays like her old self [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

W. Volleyball. Huskies Open 2011 With Blue vs. White Scrimmage [UConnHuskies.com]

Interim UConn AD on job: ‘It could be’ permanent [CT Post]

Paul Pendergast vows to mend fences [New Haven Register]

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