With the way Jon Lester was pitching on Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, it looked like the Boston Red Sox starter could have been on his way to his second career no-hitter. He was that good.

He struck out four of the first six batters he faced. The only blemish he had was a leadoff walk to J. P. Arencibia in the 3rd but he worked around it. He added another strikeout in the 4th inning as well.

But during the break, Red Sox trainer Mike Reinhold was seen talking to Terry Francona and next you thing you know Lester is done for the evening and on his way to the clubhouse. There was a lot of speculation on Twitter as to what it might be and of course with all the cases of intestinal turmoil going through there, that was the main thought.

As time wore on and no update from the Red Sox, the thoughts on Twitter seemed to rise. The longer it took the worse the injury seemed.

Well it turned out to be serious but not too serious as it was announced that Lester left the game with a strained left latissimus dorsi. This is the same injury that Matt Albers suffered earlier in the season and it cost him two weeks on the DL.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

The speculation is that Lester will miss the same amount of time but we won’t know for sure until he’s examined fully tomorrow by the Red Sox medical staff.

Here’s what Lester had to say about the injury after the game:

“It wasn’t one particular pitch. It was pretty much the whole inning,” said Lester. “It just built up and, at first, talking with [trainer Mike Reinold], I was just trying to go back out there in the fifth. He kind of said no. Him and [manager Terry Francona] always have our best interests. There’s no point in going out and pushing it right now. It’s going to be sore tomorrow. I think if I would have gone out there in the fifth, we possibly could have done some worse damage.

“I’d never take myself out of the game if it wasn’t something significant,” the left-hander added. “We’ll get it looked at tomorrow, see how I feel. Luckily, we have the All-Star break built in, so hopefully we don’t have to do anything drastic around here.”

Lester was scheduled to start on Sunday but obviously he won’t be doing that. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe via Twitter, Alfredo Aceves will be making the start for Lester.

While it remains to be seen whether or not Lester goes on the disabled list, I’d have to think with Aceves stepping into the rotation temporarily the Red Sox will put him on the DL and bring up someone for the bullpen. This would be their best option going forward to save the bullpen who’s had to be used extensively over the past two nights now.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Should we really be surprised that Boston Red Sox first baseman/right fielder Adrian Gonzalez was named the American League Player of the Month for June? Yeah I didn’t think so either.

Here’s the release from the Red Sox:

First baseman Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox has been voted the Budweiser Presents American League Player of the Month for June. Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball and sponsor of 24 of 30 clubs, is also the presenting sponsor of the National League and American League Player of the Month Awards. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Gonzalez, who will be appearing in his fourth career All-Star Game and his first with the American League on July 12th in Phoenix, batted a Major League-best .404 (40-for-99) with eight doubles, two triples, six home runs and 25 RBI in 25 games during June to win his first career A.L. Player of the Month Award. It is the first monthly honor for the Red Sox since teammate David Ortiz took home the award in May 2010. Among the A.L. leaders, Adrian tied for first with New York’s Mark Teixeira in RBI and was second in the league in hits, runs scored, on-base percentage (.478) and slugging percentage (.707). On June 4th against the visiting Oakland Athletics, Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored to help lift the Red Sox over the A’s, 9-8, in 14 innings. It was the second of 13 multi-hit games in June for the left-handed slugger. On June 17th, Gonzalez again led the way for the Boston offense, finishing a triple shy of the cycle as he recorded three hits and a walk in five trips to the plate along with a season-high three runs scored as the BoSox outscored the Milwaukee Brewers, 10-4, at Fenway Park.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

On June 20th against the San Diego Padres, Gonzalez’s first matchup with his former club since being traded to Boston after the 2010 season, the 29-year-old recorded his fifth three-hit game of the month, going 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored as the Red Sox routed the Pads, 14-5. Two days later, in the series finale with San Diego, Gonzalez tied a season-high with four hits, all of which were singles. Gonzalez started in right field in Philadelphia on June 29th, his first appearance at the position since late in the 2005 season with the Texas Rangers. Heading into play today, Gonzalez leads the A.L. with a .348 batting average and 120 hits and leads the Majors with 28 doubles, 75 RBI and 202 total bases.

Among others receiving votes was Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who batted .369 (31-for-84) with four doubles, 10 home runs and 20 RBI in 23 games. The 2011 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint candidate paced the A.L. in home runs and slugging percentage (.774) and was fifth in the league in on-base percentage (.448) and batting average. New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher (.326, 7 HR, 23 RBI) and Baltimore Orioles infielder J. J. Hardy (.362, 6 HR, 25 RBI) also received consideration.

The Budweiser Presents American League Player of the Month, Adrian Gonzalez, will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for his accomplishment.

Photo credit: Getty Images

After falling yesterday, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in the middle game of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Fenway Park.

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

Jon Lester looks to become the sixth pitcher in MLB to get 11 wins in his 18th start of 2011. In his previous 17 starts, Lester is 10-4 with a 3.43 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Blue Jays in 2011 and is 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA. He’s made 16 career starts against the Jays and is 9-4 with a 3.40 ERA. Six of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA.

Brett Cecil makes just his sixth start of the season for the Blue Jays tonight. In his previous five starts, he is 1-3 with a 7.24 ERA. His lone win of the season came in his only start of 2011 against the Red Sox. In that start, he picked up the victory after allowing three runs in six innings. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-3 with a 6.51 ERA. Three of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 7.79 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:

42-44		49-35
1. Rajai Davis	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Corey Patterson	LF	2. Marco Scutaro	SS
3. Jose Bautista	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Adam Lind	1B	4. Dustin Pedroia	2B
5. Edwin Encarnacion	DH	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Travis Snider	RF	6. Darnell McDonald	LF
7. J. P. Arencibia	C	7. Jason Varitek	C
8. John McDonald	SS	8. J. D. Drew	RF
9. Mike McCoy	2B	9. Yamaico Navarro	3B
Brett Cecil	SP	Jon Lester	SP

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

Notes: After being designated for assignment last week, Mike Cameron has been traded to the Florida Marlins plus cash. The Red Sox will either get back cash considerations or a player-to-be-named later.

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

The richest aren’t necessarily the best [Clubhouse Insider]

Kevin Youkilis expects to return tomorrow [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Youkilis out; Crawford gets closer [CSNNE.com]

What to do about Lackey? [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox’s Kevin Youkilis sitting day after hit by pitch [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz will see doctor Wednesday [ESPN Boston]

Lowrie still not taking BP [ESPN Boston]

Francona: Crawford ‘had a really good day’ [ESPN Boston]

A trade proposal: Lackey for Zito [Extra Bases]

The blinking heart of the city [Extra Bases]

Youkilis gets a day off [Extra Bases]

Red Sox Mailbag: CC Sabathia, Paul Konerko American League’s Biggest All-Star Snubs [NESN.com]

Banged-Up Kevin Youkilis Eyes All-Star Break as Chance to Heal [NESN.com]

Video: Carl Crawford Feeling Stronger, Red Sox Still May Take Conservative Route With Outfielder’s Return [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein Says Red Sox More Likely to Be in Market for Position Players As Trade Deadline Nears [NESN.com]

Nuggetpalooza: Interleague Recap [Nuggetpalooza]

Last week Cameron, this week Lackey? [Projo Sox Blog]

Good cause, bad hat [Projo Sox Blog]

Former Red Sox shortstop Buddin dead at 77 [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis out Tuesday, expects return Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Crawford return in the “not-too-distant future” [Projo Sox Blog]

Injury updates: Buchholz, Lowrie [Projo Sox Blog]

Seeking 11th win, Lester looks to even series [RedSox.com]

Red Sox trade veteran Cameron to Marlins [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: AP Photo, Reuters Pictures

There’s no doubt right now that John Lackey has lost the backing of the Fenway faithful. After walking off the mound in the eventual 9-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, they let the Boston Red Sox starting pitcher know exactly how they felt by booing him straight to the dugout.

Now whether or not you should boo your own players is a discussion for another day but can you blame them after Lackey had given up seven runs in 2.1 innings on nine hits. His fastball had good velocity but obviously his location was terrible. It made you think, did batting practice end for the Blue Jays as he was serving up huge fat softballs for the hitters.

I started thinking last night as to whom Lackey reminded me of on the Red Sox staff. And I came up with Daisuke Matsuzaka.

With Dice-K, you never knew what you were going to get. Were you going to get a pitcher who could be in complete control or were you going to get a pitcher who had nothing and looked lost on the bump? Before his season ended due to Tommy John surgery, we had seen both.

And that’s exactly what we’re seeing with Lackey right now.

Even though he took the loss against the Philadelphia Phillies, he pitched a great game. Heck, he even helped his own cause by driving in the only run of the game for the Red Sox. He had a great stuff that day and had excellent command. The start before that one, he sucked. And in his previous outings after returning from the disabled list, he gave the Red Sox a chance to win.

He didn’t do that on Monday afternoon. Instead, the Red Sox found themselves chasing seven runs after two innings. Yes with the offense the Red Sox have, any lead is not insurmountable. But this time the hole Lackey had dug for the Red Sox was just too deep for the offense to try and help out their teammate.

The Eric Gagne trade will probably go down as the worst trade Theo Epstein has made as the Red Sox GM. Right now unless Lackey turns things around, the signing of Lackey will go down as the worst free agent signing he’s ever made.

Jacoby Ellsbury showed everyone why he was selected by his peers to the 2011 MLB All-Star Game as he was 4-for-5 with two RBIs. It was his triple in the 4th inning that got the Red Sox started on climbing out of the hole. He’d come into score on passed ball from Jose Molina on a walk to Dustin Pedroia. Adrian Gonzalez would bring in Pedey with a double and the Red Sox were right back into the game.

For the most part the bullpen was great in keeping the Red Sox in the game. Dan Wheeler was outstanding and Alfredo Aceves did give up two runs (only one earned) while Franklin Morales and Matt Albers were effective. Unfortunately those two runs turned out to be the difference because of the big hole Lackey dug for the Red Sox.

The last time these two teams played, the Red Sox swept the Jays and outscored them by a margin of 35-6. That’s not going to happen this time although the next two pitchers the Red Sox face in Brett Cecil and Ricky Romero, they’ve done pretty well. Hopefully that continues.

Thanks to the Cleveland Indians beating the New York Yankees last night, the Red Sox remain 1.5 games behind the Yanks for first in the AL East. And with the Tampa Bay Rays being shutout by the Minnesota Twins, the Red Sox are still 2.5 games ahead of them.

We’ll be back later today with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and any links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below.

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

The dangers of the deep end: Lackey, the Sox and the high cost of free agency [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox fall in hole [Boston Globe]

Numbers becoming numbing [Boston Globe]

Wheeler and bullpen kept it close [Boston Globe]

Buchholz will see specialist [Boston Globe]

Unwelcome return [Boston Herald]

Sox hurtin’ for certain [Boston Herald]

McDonald won’t Lack in motivation [Boston Herald]

Perfect relief in offering [Boston Herald]

Powerless to impeach [Boston Herald]

Navy sailor gets Fenway ovation [Boston Herald]

Ellsbury displays All-Star form [Boston Herald]

Crawford (hamstring) pleased with latest workout [CSNNE.com]

Sox fall to Blue Jays, 9-7 [CSNNE.com]

Lackey misses mark against Blue Jays [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Youkilis knocked out after HBP [CSNNE.com]

Iglesias placed on DL after beaning [CSNNE.com]

Rapid Reaction: Jays 9, Sox 7 [ESPN Boston]

Youk has headache after hit by pitch [ESPN Boston]

Lackey ‘just didn’t locate well enough’ [ESPN Boston]

Ellsbury (4-for-5) shows his All-Star stuff [ESPN Boston]

Papi likes team’s chances in Derby [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox stand behind struggling teammate John Lackey [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Lackey gets lit up as Blue Jays beat Red Sox [Full Count]

Lackey on health: ‘No excuse there’ [Full Count]

Buchholz ‘a little miserable’ as he prepares to see back specialist [Full Count]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Sticking Behind John Lackey, Disappointed Red Sox Couldn’t Complete Comeback Against Blue Jays [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz to See Back Specialist, Timetable for Right-Hander’s Return Still Uncertain [NESN.com]

John Lackey Back to Square One After Rocky Start Against Blue Jays [NESN.com]

Red Sox Are Streakiest Team in Baseball, According to Study [NESN.com]

Video: Peter Gammons Says Getting John Lackey Turned Around Is Vital for Red Sox in Second Half [NESN.com]

Lackey digs hole too deep [Providence Journal]

Lackey seems to be wearing out his welcome [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Wheeler gave Sox a fighting chance [Providence Journal]

Bard OK with not making All-Star team [RedSox.com]

Time For Lackey To Go [Surviving Grady]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and the Globe and Mail websites.

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.

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 Men’s Basketball links

U19 American team gets July 4th victory [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

UConn rising sophomore Jeremy Lamb scores nine in win [New Haven Register]

Majok hits big time [Camden Advertiser]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Mailbag: How Are “The Girls” Doing? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

UConn Football links

Big East Blue Ribbon previews [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

After finishing up interleague play with a sweep of the Houston Astros, the Boston Red Sox return home to the friendly confines of Fenway Park to start a seven-game homestand before the All-Star Break. They’ll kick it off with a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on Rogers SportsNet. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game as well. 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 steps to the hill for the 13th time this season this afternoon. In his previous 12 starts, Lackey is 5-7 with a 6.81 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Jays this season and is 1-1 with a 9.24 ERA (13 ER/12.2 IP). This marks the first time he’s faced them at home this season. Lackey has made 17 career starts against the Jays and is 5-6 with a 5.12 ERA. In two career starts against the Jays at the Fens, Lackey is 1-1 with a 10.45 ERA (12 ER/10.1 IP).

Brandon Morrow makes his 14th start of 2011 for old friend John Farrell. In his previous 13 starts, Morrow is 4-4 with a 4.56 ERA. He took the loss in his only start of 2011 against the Red Sox after allowing nine runs in 4.1 innings of work. In 12 career appearances (four starts) against the Red Sox, Morrow is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. Three of those appearances (two starts) have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with an 11.42 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 afternoon’s lineups:

41-44		49-34
1. Rajai Davis	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Eric Thames	LF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Jose Bautista	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Adam Lind	1B	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Edwin Encarnacion	DH	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Aaron Hill	2B	6. Josh Reddick	LF
7. Travis Snider	RF	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Jose Molina	C	8. J. D. Drew	RF
9. John McDonald	SS	9. Marco Scutaro	SS
Brandon Morrow	SP	John Lackey	SP

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

Notes: The Red Sox game against the Yankees on August 7th will be televised on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball and begin at 8:05 p.m.

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

Injury updates on Carl Crawford and Clay Buchholz [Clubhouse Insider]

Crawford, Buchholz to meet with doc today [ESPN Boston]

A few injury updates [Extra Bases]

Red Sox sign Dominican center fielder [Extra Bases]

The winners and losers in another round of Interleague madness [Full Count]

Josh Reddick Making Carl Crawford’s Absence a Virtual Non-Issue for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Video: Josh Beckett Feeds on Camaraderie Among Red Sox Starting Pitchers [NESN.com]

Video: Blue Jays Slugger Jose Bautista Appreciates Fans’ Efforts to Vote Him All-Star Starter [NESN.com]

Lackey, Sox look to extend win streak at home [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as 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.

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 Men’s Basketball links

Interview with Jeremy Lamb: USA vs. Egypt [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Abrosimova, Russia win European title [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Opposition To Mohegan Sun As Big East Venue Wider Than Assumed [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Lorin Dixon’s Father Charged With Rape, Sexual Abuse [Hartford Courant]

Before he took to the mound on Sunday afternoon in front of his family and friends, Josh Beckett found out that he was one of the four representatives from the Boston Red Sox for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game next week. And after his masterful performance in the eventual 2-1 win by the Red Sox over the Houston Astros, you could see why Beckett was named to the All-Star Team.

All season long whenever Beckett has taken to the mound, he’s been the victim of not enough run support. That was also the case on Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox offense left the population of his hometown, Spring, TX, on the basepaths. That didn’t seem to matter to Beckett though.

It was his curveball that got the job done for him. Of his 11 strikeouts on the afternoon, Beckett got four of them with the curve. In his last start, he all but stayed away from it. This time though, it was working for him. Of course when he had pinpoint control and command of his fastball, it made the curve all the better.

You could definitely see on Sunday that the effects of the flu that slowed him down a few weeks ago and in his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies were definitely gone. He looked the like Beckett that we’ve seen all season long. Dominant and in complete control.

What was ironic about the game was how the Red Sox won it. In the past two games against the Astros, they put up 17 runs on 21 hits. On Sunday, they managed six hits and two runs. The funny thing about it all was the runs scored on an error and a bases loaded walk.

The Red Sox got just three hits off of Astros rookie Jordan Lyles. But Lyles struggled with his command and walked five. But the Red Sox weren’t able to capitalize on his ineffectiveness as much as they probably should have.

They loaded the bases in the 3rd inning only to have Adrian Gonzalez fly out to end the threat. They would load up the bases again in the 4th inning and only came out of it with one run on Brett Wallace‘s throwing error trying to get Kevin Youkilis at the plate.

And in the 9th, they loaded up the bases again against the Astros closer Mark Melancon.

After Jason Varitek grounded out, Drew Sutton pinch-hit for Beckett and walked. He would go to second on a Jacoby Ellsbury single. Melancon got the second out of the inning when Dustin Pedroia grounded into a fielder’s choice that retired Ellsbury at second base.

Rather than pitch to Gonzalez, the MLB RBI leader, Astros manager Brad Mills elected to intentionally walk him to face Youk. It turned out to be a mistake as Melancon had trouble locating the strike zone and walked Youk to force in the game winning run.

Jonathan Papelbon made sure that Beckett would notch his seventh win of 2011 when he struck out the first batters he faced. He then worked around a two-out single by striking out Chris Johnson, the son of Red Sox first base coach Ron Johnson to end the game.

Papelbon’s fastball was electric as it had good life on it. He also made great use of a nasty slider.

The Red Sox finish up interleague at 10-8 after the sweep of the Astros. I’m sure they’re happy to have it behind them as well. I Know I am. At least now we won’t have to worry about whether or not David Ortiz is in the lineup. I’m pretty sure he’ll be there just about the rest of the way.

We’ll be back in a short while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and any links from the morning. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below.

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Brilliant outing [Boston Globe]

Pitching for more shutouts when picking teams [Boston Globe]

Ortiz wields his power [Boston Globe]

Four Sox join AL squad [Boston Globe]

Feeling Josh-tified [Boston Herald]

Ells makes Star trek [Boston Herald]

Youkilis walks with pride [Boston Herald]

Papi, Gonzo on power trip [Boston Herald]

No Sox snubbed [Boston Herald]

Red Sox sweep Astros, 2-1 [CSNNE.com]

Interleague play (and talk) finally over [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Red Sox still not scoring for Beckett [CSNNE.com]

Rapid Reaction: Sox 2, Astros 1 [ESPN Boston]

Mills walked fine line — and lost [ESPN Boston]

Josh Beckett limits Houston Astros after landing All-Star spot [ESPN Boston]

Beckett’s dominance by the numbers [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Josh Beckett returns to form as Red Sox outlast Astros [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Happy Interleague Play Is Over, Ready to Return to Style Red Sox Are Accustomed to Playing [NESN.com]

Video: Josh Beckett Says All-Star Selection Is Special, Surprised More Red Sox Weren’t Chosen [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett Returns to Form in Homecoming, Dominates Astros in Interleague Finale [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Says All-Star Experience Is Fun, Offers Chance to Get to Know Other Players [NESN.com]

Video: Jon Lester Disappointed to Not Be Selected to All-Star Team, Says Yankees Always Take Care of All-Star Voting Every Year [NESN.com]

Bases-loaded walk helps Red Sox complete sweep of Astros [Providence Journal]

First half of season has been a complete turnaround for Jacoby Ellsbury [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Some deserving Sox won’t be making trip to All-Star Game [Providence Journal]

Brentz continues home run tear at Class A [RedSox.com]

June Players of the Month: Miles Head & Kyle Weiland [SoxProspects.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, you can head over to the Houston Chronicle website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Breathing Orange Fire.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Last year, the Boston Red Sox didn’t have any starters elected to the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim. Well for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, it’s a different story.

Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and DH David Ortiz were selected by the fans to be the starters at their respective positions. They’ll also be joined by two of their teammates in OF Jacoby Ellsbury and starter Josh Beckett.

Ellsbury had been battling with Rangers OF Josh Hamilton for the final starting outfield spot in the AL but obviously fell just short. But his fellow players saw the type of season he was having. And for that, he’ll be in the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.

This is the fourth All-Star selection for Gonzalez, his first in the American League. It’s the sixth selection for Big Papi. By the way, Big Papi chose Gonzo as one of his teammates for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby contest. The others were Jose Bautista and Mark Teixeira.

It’s the third All-Star selection for Beckett who could be in line for the starting nod depending on when he makes his last start before the All-Star break.

2011 MLB All-Star Game Rosters

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.

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

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UConn Men’s Basketball links

Lamb Second on Team USA in Scoring [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Greater Hartford Pro-Am Tips Of Wednesday [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Lamb leads U19 squad to another win [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

American U19 team takes on Canada Monday [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Napier and Oriakhi at Nike Skills Camp [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn roster is up [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Lorin Dixon’s Father In Trouble With New York Authorities [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Maya Moore And Candice Wiggins Talk Baseballl [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

UConn Football links

Easley holding football clinic at Bunnell Saturday [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

UConn Defensive Coordinator Don Brown Brings Aggressive Attitude [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Defensive Braintrust [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

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