The Boston Red Sox look to finish off interleague play this afternoon as they look for the sweep in the finale of a three-game set with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Astros television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Houston. 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 looks for his 7th win of 2011 in his 16th start of 2011. In his previous 15 starts, Beckett is 6-3 with a 2.20 ERA. He has made six career starts against the Astros and is 2-2 with a 2.20 ERA. One of those starts came as a member of the Red Sox back in 2008. In that start, Beckett picked up a no decision after going seven innings. He’s made three career starts at Minute Maid Park and is 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA.  Beckett’s only interleague start of 2011 came his last time out where he took the loss against the Philadelphia Phillies after allowing five runs in six innings of work. Overall in his career, Beckett has made 19 career interleague starts and is 11-5 with a 3.23 ERA.

20-year-old rookie Jordan Lyles goes in search of first career win in his seventh start of 2011. In his previous six starts, Lyles is 0-3 with a 4.75 ERA. This will be the first time he’s faced the Red Sox and only his third start against an American League team. His previous two starts against AL teams came against the Texas Rangers in which he is 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA (8 ER/13 IP).

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:

48-34		29-55
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Michael Bourn	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Clint Barmes	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Hunter Pence	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Carlos Lee	1B
5. J. D. Drew	RF	5. Matt Downs	2B
6. Josh Reddick	LF	6. Brett Wallace	1B
7. Yamaico Navarro	SS	7. Chris Johnson	3B
8. Jason Varitek	C	8. Carlos Corporan	C
9. Josh Beckett	P	9. Jordan Lyles	P

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.

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Miller in control as Sox rout Astros [Boston Globe]

Navarro does in a pinch [Boston Globe]

McDonald times it right [Boston Globe]

In outfield, he may have hit upon something [Boston Globe]

The away team [Boston Globe]

Sox show of faith in win [Boston Herald]

J.D. Drew’s slump opens the door for new RF options [Boston Herald]

‘This Time’ it does count [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz not in swing of things [Boston Herald]

Beckett bringing it home [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz selects Adrian Gonzalez for HR Derby [Clubhouse Insider]

Miller impresses again, offense clicks as Sox roll, 10-4 [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox reflect on labor issues in other leagues [CSNNE.com]

Notes: McDonald hopes homer gets him going [CSNNE.com]

Nava on the comeback trail [CSNNE.com]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 10, Astros 4 [ESPN Boston]

Struggling McDonald gets important homer [ESPN Boston]

Navarro gets first career homer [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Andrew Miller impressive again in Red Sox win over Astros [Full Count]

Johnny Damon passes Ted Williams on all-time hits list [Full Count]

Video: Josh Beckett Says There’s No Better Place to Win Than in Boston [NESN.com]

Video: Andrew Miller Still Fine-Tuning Some Things, But Ready to Pitch Whenever Called Upon [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona Impressed by Andrew Miller’s Start, Stresses Importance of Darnell McDonald’s Role [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia’s Surge Continues With Knee Problem a Distant Memory [NESN.com]

Video: Dustin Pedroia Praises Andrew Miller, Hopes to Close Out Road Trip With Fourth Straight Win [NESN.com]

Video: Andrew Miller Credits Solid Defense for Success, Says He’s Focusing on One Start at a Time [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Honored By First All-Star Game Selection [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Invites Three American League East Sluggers to Home Run Derby [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox’ Resilience Dealing With Injuries Reminds Jim Rice of 1975 Team [NESN.com]

Gonzalez joins Ortiz on Home Run Derby team [Projo Sox Blog]

Miller’s adjustments pay off [Providence Journal]

For Red Sox, a first half of highs and lows [Providence Journal]

Beckett set for hometown start against Astros [RedSox.com]

Crawford, Buchholz both making progress [RedSox.com]

Bard sticks to plan, and his dominance returns [RedSox.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 credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

After an epic comeback last night, the Boston Red Sox look to make things a little easier in game two of a three-game set with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Astros television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Houston. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the game is scheduled to be shown on the MLB Network in certain parts of the country. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After a strong outing his last time on the bump, Andrew Miller looks to solidify his status in the Red Sox rotation in his third start of 2011. In his previous two starts, Miller is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA, which also marks his record in interleague play this year. He made one start against the Astros in 2010 as a member of the Florida Marlins and received a no decision after allowing one run in five innings of work. He’s made two career starts against the Astros and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA (6 ER/10 IP). His lone career start at Minute Maid Park came back in 2008 as a member of the Marlins where he took the loss after allowing five runs in five innings of work. He’s made 12 career interleague starts and is 5-5 with a 3.62 ERA.

J. A. Happ looks to stop a personal five-game losing skid tonight in his 17th start of 2011. In his previous 16 starts, Happ is 3-9 with a 5.54 ERA. He’s faced the Red Sox once in his career, coming back in 2009 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing five runs in 5.2 innings. He’s made six career interleague starts and is 1-1 with a 4.98 ERA. Happ has made two interleague starts in 2011 and is 0-1 with an 11.74 ERA (10 ER/7.2 IP).

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 tonight’s lineups:

47-34		29-54
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Michael Bourn	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Angel Sanchez	2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	3. Hunter Pence	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Carlos Lee	1B
5. David Ortiz	1B	5. Jason Michaels	LF
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Chris Johnson	3B
7. Darnell McDonald	LF	7. J. R. Towles	C
8. Marco Scutaro	SS	8. Clint Barmes	SS
9. Andrew Miller	P	9. J. A. Happ	P

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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

Nation STATion: 81 down, 81 to go [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Ellsbury, Ortiz back in lineup, Gonzalez to RF [CSNNE.com]

Pregame notes: Gonzalez in right [ESPN Boston]

Grading the 1st half of the Red Sox season [Extra Bases]

What Carlos Lee tells us about J.D. Drew’s deal [Full Count]

Red Sox Bullpen Dominates, Astros’ Does Not in Series Opener in Houston [NESN.com]

Vote: Which Former Red Sox Minor Leaguer Would You Most Like to Have Seen Wear a Sox Uniform in His Prime? [NESN.com]

Jon Lester’s Two-Hit, Seven-Inning Victory over Phillies Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]

Mike Lowell Presented With Baseball Legacy Award at The Tradition at TD Garden [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, Red Sox Look to Take Advantage of J.A. Happ’s Struggles Against Lefties [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Still Battling Flu, But Healthy Enough to Return to Red Sox Lineup [NESN.com]

Hottovy anxious to return to big leagues [Projo Sox Blog]

Josh Reddick being more selective at the plate [Projo Sox Blog]

Yamaico Navarro has more experience in the outfield than you’d think [Projo Sox Blog]

With Crawford out, Francona juggling McDonald and Reddick [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett, Crawford return home to Houston [Projo Sox Blog]

Franklin Morales finding groove out of Red Sox bullpen [Projo Sox Blog]

Miller looks to improve to 2-0 on the season [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

When Marco Scutaro started Friday night’s game against the Houston Astros with a solo home run, it looked as though the Boston Red Sox were going to have an easy night. But that was far from the case until the 7th inning when they put up six runs for a 7-5 comeback win.

Up until that point, the Red Sox found themselves trailing 5-1 as the Astros were able to take advantage of an ineffective Tim Wakefield. It’s not that Wakefield was completely bad but he gave up a lot of two strike hits. And those ultimately would hurt his bottom line.

Wake would allow a run in the 1st, two more in the 2nd and then single runs in the 5th and 6th. He’d finish the game after 5 1/3 innings where he allowed 11 hits. Wake didn’t walk anyone and also didn’t record a strikeout.

The bullpen was solid behind though as they threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings. They only allowed two hits (Matt Albers and Jonathan Papelbon) while striking out four, including two by Daniel Bard.

After giving up that leadoff home run to Scutaro, Astros starter Bud Norris was pretty much unhittable. During that time, he did walk four (2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th innings) but they didn’t hurt him. He also struck out 10 including the side in the fourth inning. The next hit he would allow wouldn’t come until the 7th when the Red Sox strung three straight hits together and chased him from the game. 

J. D. Drew got it going with a single and he would go to second on a Jarrod Saltalamacchia single. Josh Reddick‘s double scored Drew and cut the Astros lead to 5-2. Sergio Escalona took over for Norris and gave up an infield single to Drew Sutton, in for a sick Jacoby Ellsbury, that scored Salty.

Darnell McDonald pinch-hit for one time Astro Dan Wheeler and was hit by a pitch in the foot to load the sacks full of Sox. Wilton Lopez came in and struck out Scutaro for the first out of the inning. Then on a 2-1 count to Dustin Pedroia, Lopez was the benefactor of a strike call that Pedroia didn’t think was a strike. He would go back to the same area but because of the previous call, Pedroia put the ball down the first base line that brought in Reddick and Sutton to tie the game up at 5.

The best part of that at-bat though had to be Pedroia yelling at home plate umpire Lance Diaz as he was running down the base line. Let’s just say he had some choice words for what he thought of Diaz.

Adrian Gonzalez had been slumping as he had been one for his last 14 at the plate. But with the game on the line, Gonzo came through with a double off the wall in left to clear the bases and give the Red Sox the 7-5 lead. It’s actually hard to say Gonzo was slumping when he was hitting .348 at the time but it’s something we’re not used to seeing (him struggling at the dish).

We’ve seen this time and time again from the Red Sox. When they’re down, they don’t give up. And that bodes well for the future.

At the half way mark of the season, the Red Sox are 47-34 and are 2.5 games behind the Yankees for the lead in the AL East. Since it’s July, we can now start talking about the wild card and the local nine has the lead there by 2.5 games over the AL East brethren the Tampa Bay Rays.

If you throw out the awful start to the season, there’s no telling where the Red Sox could be. But it is what is. Interleague is almost over and the Red Sox can hopefully get back to mashing the pitching in the American League as they had been doing in the past.

Hopefully last night’s comeback win was the start of something special, like the June run that really kicked started things in their rise through the standings.

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

In the presence of greatness: Andrew Miller’s night with baseball royalty [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Red Sox nip it in the bud [Boston Globe]

Rooting from other dugout [Boston Globe]

All in all, not half bad [Boston Globe]

Times Co. sells part of holdings in Red Sox [Boston Globe]

Texas-sized rally [Boston Herald]

Crawford in holding pattern at home [Boston Herald]

Cameron knew time was running out [Boston Herald]

Sox prove not half bad [Boston Herald]

Sluggers come to Papi [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez likely bound for right field tonight [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox rally for 7-5 win over Astros [CSNNE.com]

Sox prove their worth when Astros stumble [CSNNE.com]

SoxProspects.com: Bests, worsts from June [ESPN Boston]

Reunions for Francona, Johnson [ESPN Boston]

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

Ill Ellsbury might miss Saturday’s game, too [ESPN Boston]

Closing time: Red Sox explode for six-run seventh, complete comeback against Astros [Full Count]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez’ Consistency Starting to Warrant Him MVP Consideration [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona, Brad Mills Putting Friendship on Hold for Weekend When Red Sox, Astros Meet in Houston [NESN.com]

Video: Dustin Pedroia: ‘I’m Out of My Mind Half the Time’ [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury, Latest Red Sox Player to Fall Ill, Questionable Saturday in Houston [NESN.com]

Offense roars back from behind [Providence Journal]

Epstein concedes Cameron signing was mistake [Providence Journal]

June full of highlights with some clunkers tossed in [Providence Journal]

Weiland showing dominance, new pitch [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Ortiz giving deep thought to Home Run Derby selections [Providence Journal]

Crawford gets to catch up with family, friends [RedSox.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: 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

Kemba Walker To Be Honored At Middlesex Chamber, July 12 [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

A new and improved Sue Bird? [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Bird, Cash and Jones going strong in 10th WNBA seasons [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Maya Moore To Begin Baseball Career Saturday [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

UConn stars still shine [New Haven Register]

WNBA’s parity a challenge for some college stars [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Football links

Big East position rankings: Quarterback [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East Friday mailblog [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

After salvaging the finale in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox head to the Space City to finish up interleague play in 2011. The Red Sox and Houston Astros will square off tonight in the first of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Astros television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Houston. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Tim Wakefield goes in search of career win No. 198 in his 10th start (19th appearance) of 2011. In his previous 18 appearances (nine starts), Wake is 4-3 with a 4.54 ERA. Wake has made one appearance against the Astros in his career and that came as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 1993. In that appearance at the Astrodome, he allowed two runs in 3.2 innings. In 62 career interleague appearances (44 starts), Wake is 17-18 with a 4.38 ERA and four saves. In 2011, Wake has made three interleague starts and is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA (9 ER/20.2 IP).

Bud Norris makes his 17th start of 2011 for old friend Brad Mills. In his previous 16 starts, Norris is 4-6 with a 3.36 ERA. This marks his first career appearance against the Red Sox. He’s made two career interleague starts, both against the Tampa Bay Rays. In those two starts, he is 0-1 with a 6.30 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 tonight’s lineups:

46-34		29-53
1. Marco Scutaro	SS	1. Michael Bourn	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Angel Sanchez	2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Hunter Pence	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Carlos Lee	LF
5. J. D. Drew	RF	5. Chris Johnson	3B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Brett Wallace	1B
7. Josh Reddick	CF	7. Clint Barmes	SS
8. Drew Sutton	LF	8. Carlos Corporan	C
9. Tim Wakefield	P	9. Bud Norris	P

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

Notes: Jacoby Ellsbury was in the original lineup but was scratched due to the ol’ intestinal turmoil issue. Sutton steps into the lineup for him.

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

New York Times Co. sells half of Red Sox stake for $117M [Boston Herald]

Tim Wakefield set for latest start; Theo Epstein on Sox rotation’s depth [Clubhouse Insider]

David Ortiz on All-Star HR Derby: ‘We’re going to try to put a show on’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Big Mac attack? Hardly [ESPN Boston]

Podcast: Schilling on ESPN Boston Radio [ESPN Boston]

Homecoming for Beckett, Crawford [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz will be in HR Derby, pick 3 others [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes from Minute Maid Park [Extra Bases]

Kevin Millar on M&M: Interleague play ‘does take away a little bit from the American League teams’ [Full Count]

Which American League Sluggers Should David Ortiz Pick for the Home Run Derby? [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia Impressed by Phillies Pitcher Vance Worley’s Mound Presence [NESN.com]

Houston Outfielder Michael Bourn the Key to Red Sox-Astros Series [NESN.com]

Sea Dogs to Welcome 7 Millionth Fan Tonight [OurSports Central]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Astros and Aesthetics [Projo Sox Blog]

If Sox can’t win in Houston, they have a problem [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury sick, scratched from starting lineup [Projo Sox Blog]

Ron Johnson gets to face son Chris for real for the first time [Projo Sox Blog]

Not entirely comfortable reunion for Francona, Mills [Projo Sox Blog]

Gonzalez could play right field on Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]

Home Run Derby captain Ortiz mulling selections [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox look to reverse fortunes vs. Astros [RedSox.com]

Red Sox midseason report card [Tony Massarotti -Boston Globe]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz will take part in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby as it was announced that he’ll be the captain of the AL squad. Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers has been named the NL Captain.

Here’s the release from MLB:

Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox have been named the first-ever captains of the National League and American League squads for the 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby. Ortiz is the defending champion, having won the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby in Anaheim, while Fielder won the previous year in St. Louis. The 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby will take place on Monday, July 11 at Chase Field in Phoenix at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

A new element of this year’s State Farm Home Run Derby format will be the team competition between the American League and National League. Fielder and Ortiz will each determine the other three participants on their teams and will personally extend the invitations. All players are eligible to participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby, not only those named to All-Star rosters. Each of the captains will select a charity of their choice which they will be hitting for during the Derby.

State Farm and Major League Baseball will donate a significant amount of money for charity through the event. The donations will be made as follows:

• $150,000 will be awarded to the winning captain’s charity in his name
• $100,000 will be awarded to Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) in the name of the winning captain
• $25,000 will be awarded to the charity of the captain of the losing team in his name
• The remainder will be donated to BGCA on behalf of State Farm and MLB

The total amount of money distributed will be determined by the home runs hit during the competition. State Farm and MLB will combine to donate $18,000 for every home run hit with a Gold Ball during the competition. The dollar figure was selected to coincide with the number of State Farm agents throughout the U.S. and Canada. State Farm will also give $3,000 to BGCA for every non-Gold Ball hit during the Derby. Both Fielder and Ortiz have been supporters of BGCA including participating in public service announcements.

While the format to determine the individual champion will remain unchanged, the total number of home runs hit by all players in all rounds will be tabulated for the AL and NL to determine the winning team, captain and charity recipient. Each player will get 10 outs per round, the four players with the highest total of home runs will advance to the second round, and the two players with the highest cumulative number of home runs in the first two rounds will advance to the Championship Round, where first and second round home runs do not carry over for individual scores.

Click on the read more button below to see what Big Papi had to say about it by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Photo credit: Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox entered yesterday afternoon’s game looking to escape the state of Pennsylvania and the City of Brotherly Love with a win. They had the right man for the job in Jon Lester on the bump.

But with Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels equal to the task of Lester, it looked like the Phillies fans might be able to get their brooms out if something didn’t change. Well that change happened in the 5th inning.

Now you never wish an injury upon anyone but an Adrian Gonzalez liner back to Hamels in the 4th inning hit him in the palm of his glove hand, knocking the glove off. Hamels did recover to get Gonzalez at first base and then retired Dustin Pedroia. Unfortuately for the Phillies, Hamels didn’t return to the game and gave way to David Herndon.

That was the change the Red Sox were looking for though.

After Herndon got the first out of the 5th, Josh Reddick stated his case for more playing time with a triple. He quickly came into score on a Drew Sutton single. Marco Scutaro moved up Sutton 180 feet with a single before Lester struck out for the second out of the inning. Jacoby Ellsbury followed that with a single to put the visiting nine up 2-0.

The Captain, Jason Varitek, would make it 3-0 good guys with a 2-out solo home run in the sixth. The Red Sox weren’t done though.

After Drew Carpenter struck out Gonzalez to start the 8th inning, Dustin Pedroia and El Capitan went back-to-back with home runs of the solo varitey to push the Red Sox lead to 5-0. It looked like the Red Sox were well on their way to a win.

Enter Bobby Jenks in 9th inning.

We all know Jenks has had issues with the Red Sox so far this season. He’d pitched pretty well since returning from the DL for a second time this season. Obviously yesterday wasn’t one of those days.

He gave up a leadoff single to Placido Polanco. After getting Chase Utley to pop out, he left a pitch out over the plate for Ryan Howard who made him pay with a two-run jack to cut the lead to 5-2. Jenks then walked the Flying Hawaiian Shane Victorino and just when it looked like Jonathan Papelbon would get the day off, he was in the game.

After Victorino stole second, Papelbon got Ben Francisco to ground out and then struck out Raul Ibanez to give the Red Sox the win.

Once again, Lester was great as was Daniel Bard. Lester allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings. And he finally notched that elusive 10th win of the season.

The Red Sox played without the services of Kevin Youkilis, who was injured the night before fouling a ball off of his foot. Because of Youk’s injury, the Red Sox called up Yamaico Navarro. They made room for him on the 25-man roster by ending the Mike Cameron experiment when he was designated for assignment.

The Red Sox are now off to the hometown of Carl Crawford in Houston where they’ll also visit old friend Brad Mills who is in his second year as the Astros skipper. The Red Sox could welcome Crawsome back on Sunday from the DL.

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

Booster shot [Boston Globe]

Right angle part of solution [Boston Globe]

In outfield, Cameron is out [Boston Globe]

A friend in need [Boston Globe]

Johnson is eager to conquer a new frontier [Boston Globe]

Sox salvage all that is left with Jon Lester on hill [Boston Herald]

Jason Varitek delivers timely blasts from past [Boston Herald]

Familiar sound for J.D. Drew [Boston Herald]

Theo Epstein takes hit on Mike Cameron’s flop [Boston Herald]

Howard: Adrian Gonzalez is ‘a guy that I’ve loved to watch’ [Clubhouse Insider]

J.D. Drew reacts to Philly boos; Red Sox react to Mike Cameron news [Clubhouse Insider]

Millwood bides his time in Pawtucket [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox salvage one in Philly, 5-2 [CSNNE.com]

Sox win with pitching — imagine that! [CSNNE.com]

Nation STATion: Red Sox four play [CSNNE.com]

Cameron out, Navarro in for Red Sox [CSNNE.com]

Pawtucket’s lifelines: A dozen and counting [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 5, Phillies 2 [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox bats got going after Hamels left [ESPN Boston]

Drew now on the hot seat [ESPN Boston]

A ‘very tough’ goodbye [ESPN Boston]

Lester throws a needed counterpunch [ESPN Boston]

Notable stats and trends from June [ESPN Boston]

Video: Nick Cafardo’s analysis of Red Sox win over Phillies [Extra Bases]

Kevin Millwood looking to make MLB return with Red Sox, declines June opt-out [Full Count]

Looking back at Mike Cameron’s time in Boston [Full Count]

Closing Time: Jon Lester teams with Jason Varitek to power Red Sox past Phillies [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez says he will participate in Home Run Derby if called [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia Turns Down Phillies Pitcher Vance Worley’s Autograph Request [NESN.com]

What Grade Would You Give the Red Sox This Season? [NESN.com]

Boston K-Men Member ‘Fitzy’ Explains Group’s History, How Hard It Is To Find Good Face Paint [NESN.com]

Red Sox Right in Thick of AL Playoff Picture After Up-and-Down June As Season Is About to Heat Up [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Delivers Clutch Performance As Red Sox Salvage Last Game of Series [NESN.com]

Video: Jon Lester’s Focus on Executing His Pitches Helps Red Sox Leave Philadelphia on High Note [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Would Like to See National League Add Designated Hitter [NESN.com]

Video: Jim Rice – Mike Cameron Struggled With Transition to Being Bench Player With Red Sox [NESN.com]

Mike Cameron’s Career in Boston Ended Before it Ever Really Started Due to Untimely Injuries [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett the Big Winners of Midseason Red Sox Awards [NESN.com]

PawSox not surprised by Reddick’s success [Projo Sox Blog]

With voting over, one writer’s American League All-Star picks [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester, lineup switch helps Boston avoid sweep [Providence Journal]

Youkilis questionable for opener in Houston [Providence Journal]

Events finally force Red Sox’ hand with Cameron [Providence Journal]

Houston trip will bring back fond memories for Dan Wheeler [Providence Journal]

In debate about moving Gonzalez to right, logic was the loser [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Reddick in line for more playing time [Providence Journal]

Starters in spotlight of potential Fall Classic [RedSox.com]

How Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek gave Red Sox one less thing to worry about [Rob Bradford – WEEI.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, head over to the Philadelphia Daily News & Philadelphia Inquirer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, I Don’t Give a Schmidt.

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

Kemba Keeping Up Appearances [Dan Podheiser – Middletown Press]

Lamb Nets 15 in USA’s Romp [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Kemba Walker Basketball Clinic [UConn Huskies Basketball]

2011-12 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Schedule Breakdown [UConnHuskies.com]

BIG EAST Announces 2011-12 Men’s Basketball Schedule Matchups [BigEast.org]

At Ease In First Summer As A Pro, Kemba Walker Conducts Clinic For Kids In Avon [Hartford Courant]

DeAndre Daniels, Ryan Boatright Getting Acclimated At UConn [Hartford Courant]

Huskies to face Orange twice [New Haven Register]

Big East schedule long on teams, short on rivalries [New Haven Register]

How do the UConn Huskies replace Kemba? [Syracuse.com]

Letters From Camp: Life after Kemba [Eamonn Brennan – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Former Huskies fan favorites in WNBA balloting [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Renee Montgomery Reassured By Geno Auriemma [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

WNBA All-Star Voting (Maya Moore Leads West Forwards) [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

The Next Sue Bird? Courtney Vandersloot, Perhaps? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Renee Montgomery’s Offensive Surge Has Helped Connecticut Sun [Hartford Courant]

Help the UConn Women’s Basketball Team Win an ESPY [UConnHuskies.com]

Doty suffers setback in rehabilitation [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

Big East position rankings: Running back [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East position rankings: Tight ends [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn D-Coordinator Don Brown On: Dictating Tempo, Style [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Commit 10: Ansonia RB Montrell Dobbs [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Commit No.11: Defensive End Brendan Battles Nauset, Mass. [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Commit No…12: Chauncey Lanier DB From Florida [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Ansonia’s Dobbs commits to UConn football [CT Post]

UConn Football: Evaluating The Linebackers [Hartford Courant]

Getting To Know A UConn Football Coach: Matt Cersosimo [Hartford Courant]

Ansonia grad Montrell Dobbs commits to UConn [New Haven Register]

#65: Connecticut Huskies Start Over With Local Coach [Lost Letterman]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Penders Announces Additions To 2012 Coaching Staff [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Quite a Catch: Norwin catcher Max McDowell makes verbal to UConn [Norwin Star]

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 Men’s Basketball links

Lamb Nets 13 in Team USA’s Loss [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Ever Think You’d See This Day? [David Borges – New Haven Register]

News And Notes From UConn Workout At Gampel Pavilion [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Vonleh And Auguste Visit UConn [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Daniels arrives at UConn, “already family” [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Freshman Daniels starts his UConn career [CT Post]

Daniels gets acquainted with Storrs [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

Big East position rankings: Receiver [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn facing rebuilding year [The Daily Anthenaeum]

Other UConn related links

Women’s Soccer: Bussey headed to UConn – Knee surgeries don’t slow Brighton soccer standout [Livingston Daily]

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

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

Tommy Hottovy: ‘I’d do [road to majors] all over again’ [Full Count]

Players of the Week, June 20-26; Luis Bastardo and Christian Vazquez [SoxProspects.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox got three late runs in an 8-6 win over the Rochester Red Wings.

Five-Run 2nd Inning Enough for Red Wings [PawSox.com]

Pawtucket struggles early, then hits stride [Providence Journal]

Rochester Red Wings @ Pawtucket Red Sox 6.28.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2011 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

In the first game of a doubleheader, the New Britain Rock Cats got a run in the 9th for a 2-1 win over the Sea Dogs. In the second game, the Sea Dogs got seven runs in the 6th for a 12-5 win to salvage a split.

Sea Dogs earn a split to end losing streak [Portland Press Herald]

Sea Dogs Earn Doubleheader Split [OurSports Central]

Goodwill Donations Accepted at Hadlock Field on June 30th [OurSports Central]

New Britain Rock Cats @ Portland Sea Dogs 6.28.11 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]

New Britain Rock Cats @ Portland Sea Dogs 6.28.11 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2011 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

Salem had their way with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in a 7-0 win.

Salem Red Sox finally break losing spell [Roanoke Times]

Red Sox Earn First Win of Second Half [OurSports Central]

Myrtle Beach Pelicans @ Salem Red Sox 6.28.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2011 Roster

Salem Red Sox stats

Carolina League standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

The Drive’s rally fell short in an 8-7 loss to the Asheville Tourists.

Drive Drop Second Straight to Tourists with 8-7 Loss [MiLB.com]

Asheville Tourists @ Greenville Drive 6.28.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2011 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners were roughed up in a 7-3 loss to the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Too Little, Too Late for Spinners [LowellSpinners.com]

Shaw shows pop [Lowell Sun]

Vermont Lake Monsters @ Lowell Spinners 6.28.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners stats

NY-Penn League Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox saw their rally fall short in a  4-3 loss to the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox @ GCL Rays 6.28.11 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website