After a solid team win last night, the Boston Red Sox look to make it two in a row tonight against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Kansas City. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Since moving to the bullpen, Andrew Miller has made two appearances in relief. Tonight he’ll make his 9th start (11th appearance) of 2011. In his previous 10 appearances (eight starts), Miller is 4-1 with a 5.40 ERA. In his only start against the Royals this season back on July 26th, he allowed five runs in just 3.2 innings of work to receive a no decision. He’s struggled against the Royals in his career as he is 0-2 with an 11.08 ERA in five appearances (three starts). He’s made two appearances (one start) at the K and is 0-1 with a 32.40 ERA (6 ER/1.2 IP).

Jeff Francis makes his 26th start of 2011 for Ned Yost’s Royals squad. In his previous 25 starts, he is 4-13 with a 4.76 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox this season. His lone start against the Red Sox during the regular season came in 2007 as a member of the Colorado Rockies. In that start he picked up the win after tossing five shutout innings. The Red Sox exacted their revenge on Francis in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series as they lit him for six runs in four innings.

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:

75-48		51-74
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Alex Gordon	LF
2. Mike Aviles	SS	2. Melky Cabrera	CF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Billy Butler	DH
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Eric Hosmer	1B
5. Jed Lowrie	3B	5. Jeff Francoeur	RF
6. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	6. Johnny Giavotella	2B
7. Carl Crawford	LF	7. Brayan Pena	C
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Mike Moustakas	3B
9. Darnell McDonald	RF	9. Alcides Escobar	SS
Andrew Miller	SP	Jeff Francis	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

Red Sox, Royals pleased so far with Aviles-Navarro deal [Clubhouse Insider]

Adrian Gonzalez on 0-for-14 skid: ‘It’s not physical’ [Clubhouse Insider]

A-Gon shuffling through first slump with Sox [CSN New England]

Miller: ‘I should be fresh’ [ESPN Boston]

Notes: Scutaro due back Saturday [ESPN Boston]

A few random thoughts from Kansas City [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Kansas City [Extra Bases]

Red Sox prospect Noe Ramirez aims to reach big leagues ‘as quickly as possible’ [Full Count]

Top Red Sox prospect Will Middlebrooks promoted to Triple-A [Full Count]

Daniel Bard is ready to ‘put the pedal down’ for the end of the year [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez offers explanation for recent struggles [Full Count]

Time Changes Announced for Red Sox Games Against Yankees, Rays in September [NESN.com]

Will Adrian Gonzalez Finish With a Batting Average Better Than .350? [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Royals and Show vs. Tell [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard: HGH testing likely to happen eventually [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox grinding through difficult schedule [Projo Sox Blog]

Clean-shaven Gonzalez searching for timing [Projo Sox Blog]

Giving heel pain boot a key to recovery [RedSox.com]

Miller slides out of ‘pen to face Kansas City [RedSox.com]

Jenks, Drew take positive steps in recovery [RedSox.com]

Red Sox can afford a respite [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

It looks as though embattled UConn Huskies athletic director Jeff Hathaway is working his last day on the UConn campus in Storrs, CT.

According to the New London Day, Hathaway has to accept a buyout or he’ll be let go as athletic director at UConn.

The sources said Hathaway will have until the end of business today to accept a buyout plan. If Hathaway does not accept one, he will be terminated.

The sources said Hathaway has asked for $3 million plus other bonuses. It was unclear what UConn has offered. Hathaway works under a six-year contract that rolls over yearly. His base pay, according to the university, is $351,717 with another approximately $600,000 annually for speaking engagements and other duties.

While Hathaway may not be the only one to lose their position at UConn under this review, he is obviously the most high profile. I’m pretty sure that if a professor was losing his or her job, it wouldn’t be news like this.

The review was brought about by new UConn president Susan Herbst who took over this summer. She had ordered a review of the athletic department when she came on board.

This is not surprising in the least especially given the recent turmoil surrounding the men’s basketball program with the Nate Miles scandal and the APR scores. During the Miles scandal, Hathaway didn’t jump out there and defend his head coach Jim Calhoun. And with the weight that Calhoun can pull, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing he could do.

The only coach of the big sports that was actually hired by Hathaway was UConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni. Calhoun and women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma were hired by John Toner.

While it had been reported that Hathaway might be let go when the review was ordered, he wasn’t and has stuck around campus going about business as usual.

Now, he’ll be looking for work.

Update 6:00 p.m.: Hathaway is out as AD at UConn. He’s reached a buyout agreement.

Update 6:45 p.m.: Hathaway has actually “retired” from his duties at UConn.

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

We always hear how much wins are a meaningless stat. We know this to be true when John Lackey is second on the team in wins with 11 while the best pitcher this season for the Boston Red Sox, Josh Beckett, had been stuck on nine wins for what seems like an eternity.

We also know that for Beckett, it’s not about how many wins he has but rather how he pitches and if the team gets a win. When they lose when he’s on the mound, he doesn’t make excuses. And when he gets the win, he’ll credit the team. That’s what great pitchers do. You’ll also hear the same thing when Jon Lester is on the mound.

The Red Sox offense hasn’t been kind to their best pitcher though this season. In his 23 previous starts, they were averaging 3.30 runs of support per game for him. Fortunately for Beckett last night, the Red Sox got four runs for him as he picked up what’s been an elusive 10th win of 2011 in a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Beckett gave the Red Sox seven strong innings, scattering seven hits while allowing three runs with no walks and four strikeouts. The dynamic duo at the backend of the Red Sox bullpen, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon, once again got the job done to preserve another Red Sox win.

I can honestly say that I don’t remember a better duo at the back end of a bullpen since the 1996 Yankees when Mariano Rivera was setting up for John Wetteland. Whenever Joe Torre went to the pair at the end of the game, you could just mark the W in the column before the game was over.

And for the most part in 2011, the case has been the same with Bard and Papelbon. Bard picked up his 29th hold which leads the AL and Paps picked up his 29th save which is good for 4th in the AL.

With Kevin Youkilis on the shelf for the next two weeks and David Ortiz out for at least a week, someone on the offense is going to need to step up. Last night it was Dustin Pedroia who came through when the Red Sox needed him.

He provided the first two runs of the game with a single in the 3rd inning. And he brought in the winning run with a single in the 5th inning. He finished with three hits on the night. Jason Varitek knocked in the first run of the game for the Red Sox with a single.

Former Yale catcher Ryan Lavarnway made his MLB debut last night and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. However, he did show good plate discipline. He’ll more than likely be the DH until Big Papi returns from his heel bursitis injury.

Last night’s solid team win helped the Red Sox stay a ½ game behind the Yankees for first in the AL East. Unless something catastrophic happens, both of these teams are heading to the postseason. It’s just a matter of who is the division winner and who is the winner of the wild card.

For us here in Red Sox Nation, we hope to see the Red Sox as the AL East champions.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for tonight’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

Red Sox reload on road [Boston Globe]

A chance to catch Lavarnway’s act [Boston Globe]

Youkilis forced to DL [Boston Globe]

Gedman eyes son’s progress [Boston Globe]

Red Sox look to stars to beat Royals [Boston Herald]

Sox call upon young slugger Ryan Lavarnway [Boston Herald]

Red Sox lineup takes another hit [Boston Herald]

Tired-but-true excuse by Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Daniel Bard: MLB players ‘eventually’ will agree to HGH testing [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox grind out win over Royals, 4-3 [CSN New England]

Pedroia key ingredient for Red Sox [CSN New England]

Notes: Beckett highly critical of recent schedule [CSN New England]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 4, Royals 3 [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia clutch again? No surprise there [ESPN Boston]

Beckett speaks his mind on the schedule [Extra Bases]

The Red Sox secret weapon in recruiting Senquez Golson? Carl Crawford [Full Count]

Closing Time: Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia help Red Sox edge Royals [Full Count]

Josh Beckett isn’t a big fan of how the Red Sox schedule is shaping up [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Not Too Concerned About Kevin Youkilis’ Trip to Disabled List [NESN.com]

Video: Ryan Lavarnway Was Hoping for September Call-Up, Calls Early Promotion ‘Good Surprise’ [NESN.com]

Pedroia (3 RBI) fills vacuum at cleanup [Providence Journal]

With injuries piling up, Lavarnway finally gets his shot [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Sore back sends Youkilis to DL [Providence Journal]

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 Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal 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: UConn, USF special teams [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered some questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

First (Preseason) AP Poll To Be Released Saturday, My Ballot [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Football Open Practice This Saturday [UConnHuskies.com]

Nick Williams Hopes To Do More For UConn Than Just Return Kickoffs [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Day 2 in Italy; Visit to the Vatican, Beat the Netherlands [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Volleyball. Huskies Begin 2011 Season With Blue Vs. White Scrimmage [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Set To Open Regular Season Against Northeastern [UConnHuskies.com]

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

With the offense taking a vacation over the past three-game homestand, the Boston Red Sox will have to hope it comes back to life on the road as they’ll play their next eight games there. Tonight they’ll kick off the road trip with the first game of a four-game set with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Kansas City. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett hopes he gets more than 3.30 runs of support tonight in his 24th start of 2011. In his previous 23 starts, Beckett is 9-5 with a 2.40 ERA. He took the loss against the Royals on July 28th at Fenway Park when he allowed three runs in seven innings of work. He’s made nine career starts against the Royals and is 6-1 with a 2.44 ERA. Five of those starts have come at Kauffman Stadium where he is 4-0 with a 2.93 ERA.

Luke Hochevar makes a team leading 26th start tonight for the Royals. In his previous 25 starts, Hochevar is 8-9 with a 4.89 ERA. In his lone start against the Red Sox this season which was against Beckett, he picked up the win after allowing two runs in seven innings of work.  In five career starts against the visiting nine from Boston, he is 2-3 with a 6.67 ERA. Two of those starts have come in Kansas City where he is 0-2 with a 9.28 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:

74-48		51-73
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Alex Gordon	LF
2. Jed Lowrie	3B	2. Melky Cabrera	CF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Billy Butler	DH
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Eric Hosmer	1B
5. Josh Reddick	RF	5. Jeff Francoeur	RF
6. Carl Crawford	LF	6. Johnny Giavotella	2B
7. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	7. Salvador Perez	C
8. Jason Varitek	C	8. Mike Moustakas	3B
9. Mike Aviles	SS	9. Alcides Escobar	SS
Josh Beckett	SP	Luke Hochevar	SP

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

As you see from the lineup, Lavarnway has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. He takes the place of Kevin Youkilis who was placed on the 15-day DL with back issues. To make room on the 40-man roster for Lavarnway, Randy Williams has been designated for assignment.

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

Sox should play long ball with Ortiz [Chris Gasper – Boston Globe]

The offense rests: Red Sox slumping their way into Kansas City [Clubhouse Insider]

Ryan Lavarnway called up, DHing tonight; Kevin Youkilis to DL [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Youkilis update; Lavarnway ‘passionate about catching’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Youkilis (back) placed on DL; Lavarnway recalled [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Do the Sox have the pitching? [CSN New England]

Lavarnway ‘focused’ in his big league debut [CSN New England]

Notes: Ortiz to miss at least a week [CSN New England]

W2W4: Beckett vs. Royals tonight [ESPN Boston]

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

Video: Gonzalez’s importance to Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes: Lavarnway gets the call [ESPN Boston]

Masterson steps up for a teammate [Extra Bases]

Looking deeper at the Red Sox slump [Extra Bases]

Ryan Lavarnway up; Kevin Youkilis to DL [Extra Bases]

Lavarnway ready for action [Extra Bases]

Terry Francona on The Big Show: The next two weeks may not be easy for us [Full Count]

Vote: Which Red Sox Player Has Best Chance to Win American League MVP? [NESN.com]

A Broken Man When He Last Left Kansas City, Jacoby Ellsbury Returns an Elite Talent [NESN.com]

Ryan Lavarnway’s Fresh Bat, Ability to Hit Lefties a Welcome Addition to Banged-Up Red Sox Lineup [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis, Marco Scutaro Injuries a Potential Blow to Top-Ranked Defensive Team [NESN.com]

Youkilis lands on the DL [Projo Sox Blog]

Scutaro making progress [Projo Sox Blog]

Crawford still looking for stroke [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett, bats look to bounce back vs. Royals [RedSox.com]

Prospect Jacobs thrives with Drive [RedSox.com]

Sore back forces Youkilis to disabled list [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits:  AP Photo, AP Photo

I guess we should be calling Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price a slacker. After all, he was the only Rays pitcher not to throw a complete game against the Boston Red Sox during the three-game two day set.

The one thing though Price had in common with fellow starters James Shields and Jeff Niemann is the fact that he also only gave up three hits in the Rays 4-0 win over the Red Sox. Fortunately though for the Red Sox, their upcoming opponent, the Kansas City Royals, beat the New York Yankees last night so the Red Sox remain a ½ game behind the Yanks in the AL East.

Over the three games, it appears the Red Sox offense has taken a late summer vacation. They got a total of nine hits and scored just five runs. If it weren’t for one mistake pitch to Jacoby Ellsbury in the first game of the doubleheader on Tuesday, it’s quite possible the Red Sox could have been swept.

Obviously right now, injuries are a concern for the Red Sox. They were without David Ortiz for the three games as he’s battling a case of bursitis in his right heel. Marco Scutaro missed the three games with back stiffness and Kevin Youkilis is still battling back pain as well. Plus you have Adrian Gonzalez dealing with some neck stiffness as well.

The Red Sox will be without Big Papi probably for at least the next four games in Kansas City. There’s no word on when Scutaro may return. But it’s quite possible if that someone goes on the disabled list, the Red Sox could call up Ryan Lavarnway from Triple-A Pawtucket according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.

Obviously if this ends up being the case, Lavarnway would be the DH while Big Papi is out as I’m sure they probably wouldn’t put him behind the plate for a whole game, maybe as a late inning replacement at most. While you think they don’t want to hurt his development, the Red Sox are in the business of winning baseball games and right now Lavarnway could be the answer to help them.

The last time the Red Sox and Royals met up, they split the four-game set at Fenway Park. If the offense doesn’t find a way to pick things up, it could be worse this time around. I certainly hope that’s not the case though.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for tonight’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

Not much sock [Boston Globe]

Lackey lacked only support [Boston Globe]

Ortiz is cooling his heel [Boston Globe]

Hitless wondering at Fenway [Boston Globe]

Red Sox hit another bump [Boston Herald]

Carl Crawford’s woes continue vs. ex-mates [Boston Herald]

Injuries, slumping bats a concern for Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Triple dip brings John Valentin into play [Boston Herald]

Don’t take Lester for granted [Chad Finn’s Touching All Bases]

Red Sox fall to Rays in series finale [CSN New England]

Sox hope to rebound after historically bad series [CSN New England]

Notes: Lackey decent, Ellsbury still hitting [CSN New England]

Stiff neck limiting Gonzo’s power? [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Rays 4, Red Sox 0 [ESPN Boston]

Price dominated by living on edges [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox find hits hard to come by against Rays [ESPN Boston]

Carl Crawford tries to simplify approach at the plate [ESPN Boston]

A ‘big day’ for Ryan Westmoreland [Full Count]

Closing Time: Rays pitching dominates as Sox drop finale [Full Count]

Maddon on Ortiz’ absence: No one’s crying for the Red Sox [Full Count]

Joe Maddon: The longshot Rays are still in it in the AL East [Full Count]

Carl Crawford knows all about ‘starting from scratch’ [Full Count]

Is Ryan Lavarnway about to get called up to the Red Sox? [Full Count]

New Red Sox Jackie Bradley ‘ready for the adventure’ of pro ball [Full Count]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Thriving in Red Sox Lineup Thanks to Continued Production From Dustin Pedroia, Jaocby Ellsbury [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Hopeful He Won’t Be Out Long, Expects to Return During Series With Texas Next Week [NESN.com]

Video: John Lackey Pleased With Where He Is Physically, Confident in Himself Going Forward [NESN.com]

Dog Days Taking Bite Out of Red Sox As They Drop Series to Rays [NESN.com]

Red Sox Feeling Massive Void Created by David Ortiz’s Injury [NESN.com]

Red Sox Road Trip Presents Potential Pitfalls, As Well As Opportunity to Break Out of Slump [NESN.com]

Price puts Sox bats to sleep [Providence Journal]

Ryan Lavarnway is used to beating the doubters [Providence Journal]

Rays series a historically bad one for Boston bats [Providence Journal]

Westmoreland faces live pitching for first time since surgery [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Heel expected to shelve Ortiz for at least a week [Providence Journal]

After two relief outings, Miller to start Friday [RedSox.com]

Aviles seeing plenty of action with new ballclub [RedSox.com]

The ‘next Johnny Damon’ is making quite a name for himself [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, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the to St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune 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

Hot topic: Expansion in Big East mailblog [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered some questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

A Q&A With UConn Recruit Malik Golden [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Getting their fill at fullback [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

UConn fullbacks ready to continue legacy [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Player Profile: Ryan Boatright [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn is high on Xylina McDaniel’s list [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Women’s Basketball Enjoys Day 1 in Italy [UConnHuskies.com]

Packed House Helps Motivate The Sun In Maya Moore’s Return [Hartford Courant]

Maya Moore given warm welcome back to Connecticut [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Preview [BigEast.org]

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

After splitting a day/night doubleheader yesterday, the Boston Red Sox look to take the rubber game of a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rays broadcast area, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. 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 looks for his seventh win in his last eight starts in his 21st start of 2011. In his previous 20 starts, Lackey is 11-8 with a 6.13 ERA. He’s made one start against the Rays this season, picking up the win after allowing three runs in 5.2 innings on July 16th. He’s made 17 career starts against the Rays and is 12-4 with a 3.80 ERA. He’s struggled against the Rays at Fenway though in two starts. In those two starts, he is 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA (9 ER/10.1 IP).

David Price will toe the slab for the 26th time in 2011 this afternoon. In his previous 25 starts, Price is 10-10 with a 3.76 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA (8 ER/18.2 IP). He’s made eight career starts against the Red Sox and is 5-3 with a 3.55 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA (3 ER/13.2 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 afternoon’s lineups:

65-56		74-47
1. Desmond Jennings	LF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Johnny Damon	DH	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Evan Longoria	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	DH
4. Ben Zobrist	2B	4. Kevin Youkilis	1B
5. Casey Kotchman	1B	5. Jed Lowrie	3B
6. B.J. Upton	CF	6. Darnell McDonald	RF
7. Matthew Joyce	RF	7. Carl Crawford	LF
8. Reid Brignac	SS	8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
9. Kelly Shoppach	C	9. Mike Aviles	SS
David Price	SP	John Lackey	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

A reflection on the randomness and rarity of Red Sox triple play [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Bedard delivers quality, quantity [Boston Globe]

Ellsbury finds keys to driving [Boston Globe]

Triple double [Boston Globe]

Ortiz scratched with sore heel [Boston Globe]

Pedroia was in the middle of this pivotal play [Boston Globe]

Hobbled David Ortiz gets boot [Boston Herald]

Not all lost for Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Red Sox turn triple play [Boston Herald]

Jacoby Ellsbury keeps power on [Boston Herald]

Jon Lester gets into groove [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz hopes to return within a week [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox fall to Rays, 6-2 [CSN New England]

Sloppy eighth inning steals thunder from triple play [CSN New England]

Notes: Bedard feels good; Ellsbury goes yard again [CSN New England]

Defense Has Been Underappreciated Part of Red Sox’ Success [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Rapid reaction: Rays 6, Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Triple play doesn’t undo defensive miscues [ESPN Boston]

Jennings making Rays forget Crawford [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz hopes he’ll be back in a week [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox’s Terry Francona: Neck may be issue with Adrian Gonzalez power [ESPN Boston]

Archery in the Fenway Park outfield [Extra Bases]

Podcast: A bump in the road [Extra Bases]

Ask Nick: What’s up with J.D. Drew? [Extra Bases]

David Ortiz is hoping he won’t be out more than a week [Extra Bases]

A step forward for Ryan Westmoreland [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox bats silenced, fall to Rays 6-2 [Full Count]

Despite suffering loss Tuesday Erik Bedard continues to progress [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Says David Ortiz Not Headed to Disabled List, But Will Wear Walking Boot for Few Days [NESN.com]

Video: Erik Bedard Says He Had Only Seen Triple Plays on TV Before Tuesday, Credits Rare Play for Keeping Pitch Count Down [NESN.com]

Video: Blake Swihart, Matt Barnes Among Eight Draft Picks Signed by Red Sox Who Look to Ensure Future Success [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez’s Neck Strain May Be Sapping His Power Some, But Serving as DH Should Help [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Hopes to Return in a Week, Red Sox Likely to Use Rotating DH Until Then [NESN.com]

Francona to Cumberland Little Leaguers: ‘Kick some butt’ [Projo Sox Blog]

Westmoreland to take live BP [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz in walking boot [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox settle for split with Rays [Providence Journal]

Red Sox swing triple play [Providence Journal]

Lester takes on an autumn glow [Providence Journal]

Sox capitalize on one mistake as Lester wins battle of aces [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Ellsbury is no longer hit or miss [Providence Journal]

Lackey looks to win seventh consecutive decision [RedSox.com]

Altered delivery paying off for Papelbon [RedSox.com]

The ‘next Johnny Damon’ is making quite a name for himself [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, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the to St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, 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 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. 10 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Sio Moore is fine (and has great taste in eyewear) [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Practice Notes (Aug.16) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

The Word On Injuries, Other Notes. [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Latest from Camp Husky [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Practice notes [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

UConn football notes: Sio Moore sits with minor injury [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Football Practice Report [UConnHuskies.com]

‘Dream’ may come true for New Fairfield’s Guardi [CT Post]

UConn football notebook: Sio Moore misses practice with injury [CT Post]

UConn Defensive Line Built On Experience [Hartford Courant]

Seymour’s Mike Osiecki filling in at linebacker [New Haven Register]

UConn players grateful for coach approach [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn taking a defensive stance [The Day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Asjha Jones talks about Europe [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Connecticut Sun spoil Maya Moore’s homecoming [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Rebecca Lobo To Appear At Basketball Hall Of Fame [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Maya Moore’s Right Foot Appears To Be Injured [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Hayes Ready To Become A Leader For The Huskies [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Now it’s Hayes’ turn to make her mark at UConn [CT Post]

Sun clobber Lynx, Maya Moore [New Haven Register]

Sun give Maya Moore rude welcome [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

From The Home Office In Storrs….A Top Ten List [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Huskies Top The BIG EAST Preseason Poll In 2011 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Penders thrilled about Barnes signing with Red Sox [CT Post]

Baseball. Shrewsbury’s John Andreoli signs with Cubs [Worcester Telegram & Gazette]

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

After winning in game one of the day/night doubleheader, the Boston Red Sox go back at it again with the Tampa Bay Rays in game two of a three-game set at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rays broadcast area, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Erik Bedard makes his third start in a Red Sox uniform and his 19th start of 2011. In his previous 18 starts, Bedard is 4-7 with a 3.55 ERA. He has received a no decision in both of his starts with the local nine. He’s made two starts against the Rays this year with both of them coming in a Seattle Mariners uniform. In those two starts, Bedard is 0-1 with an 8.64 ERA (8 ER/8.1 IP). He’s made 22 career appearances (21 starts) against the Mariners and is 11-4 with a 3.41 ERA.

Jeff Niemann makes his 16th start of 2011 in the second game of the doubleheader. In his previous 15 starts, Niemann is 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox this season and received a no decision after allowing two hits in eight innings of work on July 16th. Y’all may remember that as the 16 inning affair that the Red Sox won 1-0. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-2 with a 4.56 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-1 with an 8.31 ERA (8 ER/8.2 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:

64-56		74-46
1. Desmond Jennings	LF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Johnny Damon	DH	2. Jed Lowrie	3B
3. Evan Longoria	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Ben Zobrist	2B	4. Dustin Pedroia	2B
5. B.J. Upton	CF	5. Josh Reddick	RF
6. Casey Kotchman	1B	6. Carl Crawford	DH
7. Sean Rodriguez	SS	7. Mike Aviles	SS
8. Matthew Joyce	RF	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Robinson Chirinos	C	9. Darnell McDonald	LF
Jeff Niemann	SP	Erik Bedard	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

Lester, Ellsbury pace victory over Rays [Clubhouse Insider]

Ellsbury with elite company in Red Sox 20-20 club [CSN New England]

Lester, Ellsbury lift Red Sox past Rays in Game 1 [CSN New England]

Ortiz (heel) out for Game 2 vs. Rays [CSN New England]

Meet the newest Sox [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 3, Rays 1 [ESPN Boston]

Francona: Ortiz has bursitis in right heel [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz gets heel looked at [ESPN Boston]

Lester finds rhythm and settles in [ESPN Boston]

Hits are few, but Ellsbury HR suffices [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Jon Lester’s masterpiece leads Red Sox to 3-1 in doubleheader opener [Full Count]

Tampa Bay sees a different Jacoby Ellsbury in 2011…sort of [Full Count]

Despite gem, Jon Lester didn’t feel quite right until the middle innings [Full Count]

Dynamic duo in Red Sox bullpen proves key late in games [Full Count]

David Ortiz a Late Scratch in Game 1 of Doubleheader With Rays Due to Illness [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury’s Home Run Helps Red Sox Start Doubleheader on Winning Note [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Sitting Out Nightcap of Doubleheader With Right Heel Bursitis [NESN.com]

Video: New England Baseball Enjoying Resurgence As Local Players Continue to Make Impact in College, Pursue Big League Careers [NESN.com]

One Costly Mistake to Jacoby Ellsbury Dooms James Shields, Rays in Opener of Doubleheader [NESN.com]

Joe Maddon Always Knew Jacoby Ellsbury Had Power, But Says Center Fielder Is Now ‘Maturing as a Hitter’ [NESN.com]

Jon Lester’s Six-Pitch Fifth Inning a Turning Point for Red Sox in First Game of Twinbill With Rays [NESN.com]

Red Sox 3, Rays 1: Lester cruises behind Ellsbury HR [Projo Sox Blog]

Alex Wilson promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury’s progress obvious to Shields, Rays [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz out with right heel bursitis [Projo Sox Blog]

Bedard, Niemann to battle in Game 2 [RedSox.com]

Papi late scratch from lineup due to illness [RedSox.com]

Francona skips unpacking during pit stop home [RedSox.com]

Lester notches eight strikeouts, stymies Rays [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, Reuters Pictures