After extending the Seattle Mariners losing streak to 13 games last night, the Boston Red Sox look to push it to 14 in the second game of a three-game set tonight at Historic Fenway Park.

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

The ace of the Red Sox staff, Josh Beckett, will make his 19th start of 2011. In his previous 18 starts, Beckett is 8-3 with a 2.12 ERA. He has not faced the Mariners in 2011 and was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts last season. He’s made seven career starts against the Mariners and is 5-1 with a 3.11 ERA. Three of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA.

Rookie Blake Beavan will try to stop the bleeding yet again for the Mariners. In Beavan’s previous three starts, he is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He’s never faced the Red Sox in his brief career.

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

43-56		60-37
1. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Brendan Ryan	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Dustin Ackley	2B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Justin Smoak	1B	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Adam Kennedy	3B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Mike Carp	LF	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Jack Cust	DH	7. Josh Reddick	RF
8. Franklin Gutierrez	CF	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Josh Bard	C	9. Marco Scutaro	SS
Blake Beavan	SP	Josh Beckett	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

Buchholz will attempt a bullpen session on Monday [Clubhouse Insider]

Buchholz to throw off mound Monday [CSNNE.com]

Beckett and Sox face Mariners tonight at 7:10 [ESPN Boston]

Francona approaches 1,000-win milestone [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz to throw side session Monday [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes from Fenway Park [Extra Bases]

Red Sox pregame notes: Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie on roads to recovery [Full Count]

What Would You Like the Red Sox to Do Before the Trade Deadline? [NESN.com]

Adrian Beltre’s Hamstring Scare With Texas Rangers Validates Red Sox’ Careful Handling of Injured, Recovering Players [NESN.com]

Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Hardball Ace Baseball Brings Mobile Motion Capture Gameplay to iPhone, iPad [NESN.com]

Red Sox Minor League Prospect Lars Anderson Hones Hitting Stroke With PawSox [NESN.com]

Red Sox Keeping Tabs on Los Angeles Dodgers’ Hiroki Kuroda as Trade Deadline Approaches [NESN.com]

Vote: How Should the Red Sox Add Players to Help Themselves Down the Stretch? [NESN.com]

Ken Casey, Jonathan Papelbon and Many More Team Up for Rotten Tomato Karaoke [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Considers Himself Fortunate to Be on Verge of 1,000 Wins [NESN.com]

Former teammate sees better days ahead for Lackey [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz to throw off mound Monday [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona approaching milestone [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett looks to feast on Mariners at Fenway [RedSox.com]

Photo credits:  Getty Images, AP Photo

With the Seattle Mariners in town with their best pitcher in Felix Hernandez and a 12-game losing streak, the thoughts were that John Lackey and the Boston Red Sox wouldn’t be able to extend that streak. Especially considering the fact that King Felix hadn’t lost at Fenway in five career starts (3-0, 1.49).

But after a 1st inning speed bump, Lackey settled down and the offense and the heat eventually wore down Hernandez and the Mariners in a 7-4 win.

A big part of Lackey’s success stemmed from the fact the offense got the run back he had given up in the top of the 1st in the bottom half of the inning. After that Lackey settled himself down and got into a groove.

Part of Lackey’s past problems were being able to locate his pitches, especially his fastball. What helped him out last night was the fact that he had command of his offspeed pitches. That command allowed him to locate his fastball and keep the Mariners hitters off balance. When Lackey has the command like he did last night, he shows us why Theo Epstein signed him to such a big free agent contract.

Sure I’ve not been kind to Lackey but he’s been proving me and other detractors wrong lately. Last night’s win was his third in as many starts for him. He went seven innings, allowing just the one run on eight hits with four strikeouts. He didn’t walk any one.

Franklin Morales struggled out of the bullpen as he allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning. Daniel Bard needed three pitches to bail him out and Jonathan Papelbon threw a perfect inning to pick up his 22nd save in his walk year.

Ever since he got piece of mind on his knee, Dustin Pedroia has been en fuego. He extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a three-hit effort. Jacoby Ellsbury also considered his power surge with another home run, a solo shot in the 3rd that gave the Red Sox the lead for good.

The offense did the big damage against King Felix in the 7th when Adrian Gonzalez knocked in two with a bases loaded single and chased him from the game. Kevin Youkilis greeted Jeff Gray with a 2-run double and David Ortiz followed that up with a single to push the lead to 7-1.

On a hot night at the Fens, the Red Sox got what they needed from Lackey and the offense. Tonight, they’ll look to extend the Mariners’ frustration by throwing Josh Beckett at them.

We’ll be back later with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. 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

Video: Mike Lowell Visits NESN Set [SOX & Dawgs]

Video: Mike Lowell Visits Orsillo & Remy [SOX & Dawgs]

How Josh Reddick went from slap hitter to slugger [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Bubbling over [Boston Globe]

Ellsbury keeping the heat on [Boston Globe]

Buchholz not elevating game [Boston Globe]

Henry in a landmark debate [Boston Globe]

Lackey up to challenge [Boston Herald]

Long toss doesn’t go well for ailing Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Jacoby Ellsbury continues in overdrive [Boston Herald]

Look who’s no longer Lack-ing [Boston Herald]

Mike Lowell reminisces in return to Fenway [Boston Herald]

Lackey dominant, sinks Mariners, 7-4 [CSNNE.com]

Lowell returns to Boston, reflects on retirement [CSNNE.com]

Lackey shouldering load for Red Sox [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Pedroia continues to rake [CSNNE.com]

SoxProspects: Past trades — where are they now? [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 7, Mariners 4 [ESPN Boston]

With several players on hot streaks, the Boston Red Sox hit 60-win plateau at record pace [ESPN Boston]

Lowell gets warm welcome in return to Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: John Lackey, Red Sox turn it on against Mariners [Full Count]

John Lackey: ‘I’m not going to get too far ahead of myself’ [Full Count]

Josh Reddick: Red Sox proving ‘they believe in me’ [Full Count]

Video: John Lackey Continues to Pitch In With Another Strong Start for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Video: Ryan Lavarnway Homers Again, Continues Torrid Pace at Triple-A Pawtucket [NESN.com]

Red Sox Continue Seventh-Inning Success With Key Rally Against Seattle [NESN.com]

John Lackey’s Turnaround Continues With Solid Effort in Win Over Seattle [NESN.com]

Lackey continues dominance of Seattle [Providence Journal]

Epstein has luxury of planning his postseason roster [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lowell happy to be back at Fenway as a fan [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 Oregonian, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times and Tacoma Tribune websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Mariner Mayhem.

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.

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

UConn Football links

Big East player rankings: D-Line [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East mailblog [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Summer Kickoff Preview No. 5: Open Dates – The Fine Art of Constructing A Schedule [BigEast.org]

No respect I tell ya, no respect at all [LA Times]

Randy Edsall Could Give A Crap About Your Pappy’s Name [Baltimore Sports Report]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

DeShields, Stewart star for U.S. [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

DeShields Leads U.S. Past Russia At U-19s [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Postgame Comments Rizzotti, DeShields, Mosqueda-Lewis, Stewart [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Dolson, Hartley and Mosqueda-Lewis Lead U19 Team to Wins in First Two Tests [UConnHuskies.com]

Sue Bird set for reunion at All-Star Weekend [ESPN.com]

WNBA outlives early growing pains, sees bright days ahead [WNBA.com]

Other UConn related links

Outside firm evaluating UConn athletics [CT Post]

UConn President Has No Comment On Review Of Athletic Department, But Next Move Will Say Plenty [Hartford Courant]

Earlier on Friday night, former Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell made a visit to the NESN set before the game with Tom Caron and Nick Cafardo. Well during the game, he also stopped by to visit with Don Orsillo & Jerry Remy.

And since the first half inning he was there went quickly, he stayed for another half inning.

Mike Lowell in NESN booth part 1:

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Click on the read more button below to watch part two if you’re on the home page.

Mike Lowell in NESN booth part 2:

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Now that he is retired, former Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has a lot of time on his hands. He’s spending part of that time on vacation with his family up in Boston for the weekend and stopped by the NESN set to talk with Tom Caron and Nick Cafardo.

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After finishing up a six-game road trip, the Boston Red Sox return home to the friendly confines of Historic Fenway Park for a seven-game stanza. They’ll kick it off tonight with the first of a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners.

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

Shockingly enough, John Lackey will go for his third straight win in as many starts in his 16th start of 2011. In his previous 15 starts, Lackey is 7-8 with a 6.70 ERA. He’s made one start against the Mariners in 2011 and took the loss after allowing two runs in six innings back on April 30th. He’s made 28 career starts against the Mariners and is 13-10 with a 3.62 ERA. In two career starts against the M’s at Fenway, Lackey is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA (4 ER/14 IP).

King Felix Hernandez looks to end Seattle’s 12-game losing streak in his 22nd start of 2011. In his previous 21 starts, King Felix is 8-8 with a 3.26 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox in 2011 and picked up a no decision after allowing two runs in seven innings back on May 1st. He’s had good success in his career against the Red Sox with a 4-1 record with 2.87 ERA in nine starts. He’s made five of those starts at the Fens where he is 3-0 with a 1.49 ERA.

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

43-55		59-37
1. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Brendan Ryan	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Dustin Ackley	2B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Miguel Olivo	C	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Adam Kennedy	3B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Justin Smoak	1B	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Mike Carp	LF	7. Josh Reddick	RF
8. Jack Cust	DH	8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
9. Greg Halman	CF	9. Marco Scutaro	SS
Felix Hernandez	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

Reddick in over Drew in RF [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Reddick starts again [CSNNE.com]

SoxProspects.com: New Top 10 list [ESPN Boston]

Francona: Reddick gives us a better chance [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz holds off on bullpen session [ESPN Boston]

New this summer at Fenway Park [Extra Bases]

Trade Talk: The dearth of starters [Extra Bases]

Pregame notes on Reddick’s start in right field [Extra Bases]

Pregame updates on Buchholz and Lester [Extra Bases]

Mike Lowell: “I’m still at peace with my decision” [Extra Bases]

Jerry Remy on D&C: ‘You have to go for the production’ from Josh Reddick [Full Count]

One year later, a world of difference for Red Sox bullpen [Full Count]

Kevin Millar on M&M: Josh Reddick ‘deserves the opportunity’ [Full Count]

Daniel Bard on The Big Show: I’m not ‘locked into any one role’ [Full Count]

Red Sox pregame notes: Josh Reddick provides a ‘lift’ while J.D. Drew sits [Full Count]

Jacoby Ellsbury Outperforming Salary by About $20 Million [NESN.com]

Report: Red Sox, Royals Have Discussions About Jeff Francoeur, Talks in ‘Exploratory’ Stage [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Delays Mound Session, Frustrated by Continued Soreness in Back [NESN.com]

Mike Lowell Returns to Fenway Park, Meets Up With Former Teammates [NESN.com]

Red Sox, Mariners to Test Theory ‘Good Pitching Beats Good Hitting’ [NESN.com]

The big Friday Nuggetpalooza! [Nuggetpalooza]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Mariners and Bad Offense [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz throws long toss again, bullpen next step [Projo Sox Blog]

Josh Reddick starts over J.D. Drew [Projo Sox Blog]

Well-rested Red Sox Welcome Felix to Fenway [RedSox.com]

Boggs and Fisk needs ballot box support [RedSox.com]

Photo credits:  Getty Images, Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox enjoyed a day off on Thursday after spending the last six days on the road after the All-Star break. And with the Seattle Mariners coming to town, the Red Sox will finally see someone else that doesn’t play in the AL East after 13 straight games in the division (Toronto Blue Jays (3 games), Baltimore Orioles (7 games), Tampa Bay Rays (3 games)).

During that 13 game run, the Red Sox went 10-3 and now have a two-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Tampa Bay Rays are 7.5 games behind in third place. They are also 5.5 games behind the Yankees for the AL Wild Card along with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Seattle comes to town as losers of 12 straight games while the Red Sox are 13-3 in the month of July. Something will have to give in this series especially with the Mariners throwing out two of their best pitchers in Felix Hernandez (tonight) and Michael Pineda (Sunday). Of course the Red Sox will have their best pitcher this season going in Josh Beckett on Saturday night (pitching matchups for series).

The next nine days we will be hearing rumors galore with the trade deadline coming up. People will throw out the names of Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Ubaldo Jimenez with possibilities of coming to Beantown. Honestly folks those are pipe dreams.

The Mets have said Reyes isn’t going anywhere and Theo Epstein isn’t going to mortgage the farm for him. The same goes for Beltran.

If Josh Reddick can continue at the pace he’s been hitting all season long, there’s no need for the Red Sox to get Beltran. Reddick’s already basically unseated J.D. Drew in right field. The need for the Red Sox is a right-handed hitting outfielder. So I’d expect to hear the Red Sox involved with names like Josh Willingham and Ryan Ludwick.

The big concern right now is the pitching staff but we should know more about that today. With Clay Buchholz throwing off the mound for the first time this afternoon, we may actually get a timetable as to when he could return. If he’s able to return in the next two weeks, there’s probably no need to go out and get a fourth or fifth starter.

Of course that lies in the fact that the Red Sox would be comfortable with either Andrew Miller or Tim Wakefield. Obviously something will change if/when Buchholz returns.

I honestly don’t expect the Red Sox to be major players in any of the big names that come up. The reason why is the cost of these players. And by cost, I don’t mean the financial aspect. I mean the cost of the prospects to give up.

We’ll be back later with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. 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

Counting the chips: How the industry views Sox prospects for trades [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Things to keep in mind [Boston Globe]

Bard is setting standard [Boston Globe]

No snags for catcher so far [Boston Globe]

Epstein looks to future [Boston Globe]

Daniel Bard earns accolades [Boston Herald]

Ryan Lavarnway swings big bat [Boston Herald]

Red Sox won’t trade team for world [Boston Herald]

Let’s make a deal [Boston Herald]

Clay Buchholz hoping to be Red Sox’ best acquisition [Clubhouse Insider]

Nation STATion: You can quote me on that [CSNNE.com]

Ellsbury becoming a leader in his comeback year [CSNNE.com]

Epstein: We tried to sign Ellsbury long-term [CSNNE.com]

PawSox’ Lavarnway tearing up Triple-A [CSNNE.com]

Theo: Sox have trade chips for right deal [ESPN Boston]

Epstein wants Ellsbury to stick around [ESPN Boston]

Bowden: Ideal, most likely moves for Sox [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox hitting consultant Tommy Harper says David Ortiz is on the right track this season. [ESPN Boston]

Off-day news: Fenway fans choose favorite new sandwich [Extra Bases]

List: Ranking Theo Epstein’s trade deadline moves [Full Count]

Theo Epstein on D&C: No trade option can take the place of Clay Buchholz [Full Count]

Peter Gammons on M&M: Sox ‘might get right-handed hitting outfielder’ at trade deadline [Full Count]

Red Sox Prospect Ryan Lavarnway Robbed of Game-Tying Home Run in Ninth Inning by Brandon Moss [NESN.com]

The big Friday Nuggetpalooza! [Nuggetpalooza]

A best-case scenario for Ryan Lavarnway [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox one of five teams without a walk-off homer in 2011 [Projo Sox Blog]

Iglesias back, ready to resume progress [Projo Sox Blog]

Gonzalez helps teammates take game to next level [Providence Journal]

Red Sox’s road to October begins in July [RedSox.com]

As John Henry reminds us, Red Sox are in pretty good shape [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.

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

Big East player rankings: Quarterbacks [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

A Preseason Consensus: UConn Fifth In League; Rutgers Lower [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Football Alumni Golf Tournament To Take Place On Sept. 16 [UConnHuskies.com]

Summer Kickoff Preview No. 4: Rising Stars [BigEast.org]

UConn Football Coach In The Spotlight: Darrell Perkins [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Boost Mobile Elite 24 Roster Revealed [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Do You Think Renee Montgomery Sounds Excited? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

It Will Be Easy To See More Of Maya This Weekend [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Stewart Has Double-Double As U.S. Opens With Win At U-19s [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Postgame Comments From Rizzotti, Dolson, Hartley and Stewart [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

NCAA considers new start date for tournament [AP via New Haven Register]

UConn champs hold Alamo City dear [San Antonio Express]

Maya Moore on WNBA All-Star Weekend, Hazing [ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

BIG EAST Baseball Championship to Return To Clearwater, Fla., for 2012 and 2013 [BigEast.org]

Baseball. Brien McMahon infielder Daniello commits to UConn baseball team [The Hour]

M. Soccer. Ray Reid Named To NCAA Men’s Soccer Committee [UConnHuskies.com]

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on July 24 when Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners travel to historic Fenway Park to take on David Ortiz and the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox at 1:30 p.m. (ET).  Michael Pineda (8-6) is scheduled to start for the Mariners against the Red Sox probable starter Tim Wakefield (5-3).  Play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson will call the game alongside analysts Ron Darling and David Wells in the broadcast booth.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season.  Beginning in October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the four Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has served as the exclusive home of Major League Baseball’s Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007, has broadcasted MLB games for more than 30 years and was home of the Atlanta Braves from 1977-2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 24
1:30 p.m. (ET)	Seattle Mariners @ Boston Red Sox
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 31
2 p.m. (ET)	Boston Red Sox @ Chicago White Sox
Announcers: Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst)
Sun., August  7
1 p.m. (ET)	Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), John Smoltz (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)

When Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox signed Andrew Miller in the offseason, they knew exactly what they were getting. A pitcher with all the talent in the world but some of the worst mechanics due to being rushed by his former teams in Detroit and Florida.

It seemed he had worked out his mechanical issues that led to poor control and command in Pawtucket that led to his callup with the Red Sox. And while he hasn’t been lights out, he’s done okay. But in his past few starts, those poor mechanics have crept back into play.

After being roughed in his last start against the Rays, Miller was facing the Orioles for the second time this season. Unlike the Rays start, this Miller was able to escape the now returned wildness that has plagued him throughout his career.

Miller worked himself out of a bases loaded jam in the 2nd, a jam created by him walking three straight batters. He was able to work out of the jam by inducing a double play ball off the bat of Craig Tatum to escape any damage. Of course Tatum may have helped him out by swinging at a few balls that were out of the strike zone.

He settled down after that because of adjustments made by himself, Jason Varitek and pitching coach Curt Young. He wouldn’t allow his first hit of the game until the 5th when the aformentioned Tatum connected for a single. He would give up a two-out single in the 6th to Derrek Lee followed up by a walk to Mark Reynolds and that ended his afternoon.

Matt Albers continued to show his former team how good he could be by striking out two over 1.1 innings including ending the 6th inning with Miller in trouble. Daniel Bard needed just nine pitches to get through the 8th and Jonathan Papelbon kept the 9th drama free by striking out one in a perfect inning of relief in a non-save situation.

Of course the offense made Miller’s job a little easier with 12 hits on the afternoon.

While Adrian Gonzalez broke out of his 2-for-24 post All-Star break slump with four hits on the afternoon, it was the new found power of Jacoby Ellsbury that was the big difference. Ellsbury got the Red Sox on the board in the 3rd with the first of two solo home runs. He added another in the 7th that pushed the lead to 3-0.

Josh Reddick continued to his push to make J.D. Drew expendable with another two hits. Carl Crawford continues to shine since returning from his hamstring injury with another two hits, a stolen base and a RBI on a bases loaded walk.

When you think back about the offseason and the signings in the bullpen, your first thoughts were that Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks would be the bridge to Papelbon along with Bard. Instead with Wheeler struggling early on and Jenks battling back injuries all season long, Albers has stepped up and done a brilliant job.

This is the same Albers who was 11-12 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.529 WHIP for the Orioles over three seasons. That’s a far cry from the 3-3 with a 2.29 ERA and a 1.195 WHIP for the Red Sox this season. Like Alfredo Aceves, Albers has had a bump in the road or two. But for the most part, those two pitchers seem to be the best offseason signings for the Red Sox pitching staff.

With the Red Sox being off today, we’ll be back in a short while with the pitching matchups for the upcoming series with the Seattle Mariners. 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

Andrew Miller walks the unusual line [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Power lifting [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez hits his stride [Boston Globe]

Far from a control freak [Boston Globe]

That’s a wrap: Reddick, Crawford contribute to Sox’ 4-0 win over O’s [Boston Herald]

Not so fast on Carlos Beltran [Boston Herald]

Southie pitching all in for Tim Burke [Boston Herald]

Empowered Jacoby Ellsbury teeing off [Boston Herald]

Changeup from Andrew Miller [Boston Herald]

Sox reliever Dan Wheeler recalls last time Carlos Beltran got traded [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox finish trip with 4-0 win over O’s [CSNNE.com]

Hottovy clears waivers; outrighted to Pawtucket [CSNNE.com]

Pumping up and winding down with the Sox [CSNNE.com]

Jones ‘sick and tired’ of losing to Red Sox [CSNNE.com]

Tension remains high between umpires, teams [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Miller, Ellsbury carry Sox to victory [CSNNE.com]

Reddick earning his keep in right field [CSNNE.com]

Draft of 2012 Red Sox schedule [ESPN Boston]

Good time had by all in Baltimore [ESPN Boston]

Theo: Best Sox acquisition a healthy Buchholz [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox like Carlos Beltran, but price too high, source says [ESPN Boston]

Theo: Sox have depth to make deal [ESPN Boston]

Theo: Best acquisition a healthy Buchholz [ESPN Boston]

Epstein: The ‘light’s gone on’ for Reddick [ESPN Boston]

Why the Sox aren’t yet considering a call-up for Ryan Lavarnway [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox 4, Orioles 0 [Full Count]

Red Sox Ticket Price Increase on Secondary Market Greater Than Average Cost of Dodgers Ticket [NESN.com]

Injuries to Red Sox Rotation Make Pitching A Higher Trade Deadline Priority Than Right Field Help [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Joining Superstar Teammates in Game’s Upper Echelon [NESN.com]

Video: Andrew Miller Picks Up Another Win, Despite Battling More Control Issues [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Credits Aggressiveness in Strike Zone for Jump in Power This Season [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Deep Lineup, Solid Starting Pitching Means Team Doesn’t Need to Make Big Trade at Deadline [NESN.com]

Josh Reddick Proving His Worth As Everyday Right-Fielder With Trade Deadline Approaching [NESN.com]

Ellsbury’s power display all Sox needed [Providence Journal]

Reddick thrilled to be part of master plan [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Quick fix helps Gonzalez bust out [Providence Journal]

Impressive discipline and eye-popping results have put Ryan Lavarnway on big-league track [Providence Journal]

Francona: ASG activities might be a bit much [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 Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

Photo credit: AP Photo