After taking UConn Huskies pitcher Matt Barnes with the 19th pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox had another pick at No. 26. With that pick, the Red Sox drafted high school catcher Blake Swihart with that pick.

The 26th pick was originally the Texas Rangers first round pick but the Red Sox received as compensation for the Rangers signing Adrian Beltre during free agency.

Here’s what MLB.com had to say about Swihart:

On pure ability alone, Swihart very well could have first-round talent. That’s particularly true of his bat. He’s got a great swing from both sides of the plate and can really hit. He should hit for average with above-average power. Think a slightly better version of Colby Rasmus, a hitter who could hit .300 with 20+ homers annually. It’s unclear where Swihart’s eventual defensive home will be. A catcher in high school, some feel he won’t stay there at the next level as he’s not the biggest guy in the world, though he does have arm strength, and a team may not want the wear and tear of catching to take away from his offensive potential. A move to the infield seems unlikely as Swihart’s lack of speed wouldn’t suit him at, say, second base, so a corner outfield spot may make the most sense, and he should have enough bat for such a spot. He’s expected to be a very tough sign, with a commitment to the University of Texas, so it might take a team willing to meet his asking price to get him to become a pro this summer.

Swihart is committed to play baseball for the Texas Longhorns next year and it’ll probably take a small Brinks truck to sign him. But knowing Theo Epstein like we do, he’ll probably find a way to get him signed.

When the final mock drafts came out on Monday, it was expected that UConn baseball players Matt Barnes and George Springer would be drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft. It was also thought that Barnes would be drafted higher than Springer.

But that wasn’t the case at all as the Houston Astros took Springer with the 11th pick of the draft. And it took just eight more picks for Barnes to be taken as the Boston Red Sox took him with the 19th pick.

The 19th pick was originally the Detroit Tigers pick that the Red Sox received when the Tigers signed Victor Martinez during free agency.

For Springer, he becomes the highest player ever drafted out of UConn. Charles Nagy had been the highest when he was selected with the 17th pick in the 1988 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.

Here’s what MLB.com had to say about Springer:

Five-tool players don’t come around too often, and they’re usually not from the college ranks. Springer, the UConn center fielder, is an exception to that rule. Springer can do a little bit of everything on the baseball field, and after a slow start to his junior season, was using all of those tools to put up very good numbers. There are some holes to his swing as he doesn’t get cheated at the plate and, thus, there’s some swing and miss to his game. Still, he has the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. With a very quick bat, he’s got unbelievable raw power and it could be a plus tool if he can make more consistent contact. He’s got above-average speed and is very smart on the basepaths, giving him the potential to be a basestealing threat. Defensively, the speed plays well, with above-average range and the instincts to play anywhere in the outfield, if needed. His arm is already above-average and could be plus one day. All those tools, with the ability to play a premium position in center; a team will undoubtedly see past the swing issues and take him in the early going of the first round.

And here’s what MLB.com had to say about Barnes:

In another Draft class, Barnes — with his long, lanky frame and potential for a very good three-pitch mix — would put him close to the top of Draft boards. The depth in outstanding pitching in this class knocks Barnes down a touch, but he’s still in line to get taken in the top half of the first round. Barnes can crank his fastball up to 96 mph and will comfortably sit in the 91-93 mph range. He currently throws two breaking pitches. His curve has the chance to be a plus pitch if he focuses on it, with good rotation. His slider is a below-average pitch, and it might be best if he used just the curve at the next level. His changeup has the chance to be a good option, especially against lefties, but he doesn’t use it that much now. He should have excellent command in the future and his frame might allow him to add some bulk along the way. He looks and acts like a frontline starter, and that’s exactly what he might be down the line.

And in case you missed it, here is an interview that Sox Prospects did with both Barnes and Springer.

Congratulations to both Springer and Barnes. Best of luck!

For the third time in four weeks, a member of the Boston Red Sox has been named the American League Player of the Week. Here’s the release:

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending June 5th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

In six games last week, Ortiz batted .545 (12-for-22) with four doubles, two home runs, six RBI and five runs scored on his way to joining teammates Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford as the third Red Sox player in a four-week span to garner A.L. Player of the Week honors. The 15-year veteran finished tied for first in the A.L. in doubles and total bases (22), was second in batting average, slugging percentage (1.000) and on-base percentage (.583) and was tied for second in the league in hits. On Tuesday, May 31st in Boston, the Dominican Republic native finished off a strong month of May, going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox. Ortiz finished the month with a club-leading .342 (38-for-111) batting average with nine doubles, 10 home runs and 16 RBI to help Boston pull within one game of the New York Yankees for the A.L. East lead heading into today’s games. On Wednesday, the 35-year-old doubled and launched his second homer in as many days, his 13th of the season, in a 7-4 loss to the White Sox. 

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

Ortiz batted .545 (6-for-11) with a double, two home runs and four RBI in the series against Chicago. On June 3rd, the six-time A.L. All-Star recorded a pair of hits, including a double and two RBI as the Red Sox pulled out an 8-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics in Boston. It marked the fifth consecutive multi-hit game at home for Ortiz, a career-best for the left-handed hitting slugger. On Sunday, June 5th, the four-time Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored as the Red Sox defeated the A’s, 6-3, to complete a three-game sweep. It was Big Papi’s fourth straight game with a double and it extended his current hitting streak to six games. It was also the fifth multi-hit game of the week for Ortiz and his 17th in his last 28 games dating back to May 5th. This is David’s fifth career weekly honor (last accomplished on 8/26/07).

Other noteworthy performances from this past week included Ortiz’s teammates Adrian Gonzalez (.423, 11 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI) and Carl Crawford (.348, 2 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI); Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Bobby Abreu (.611, 11 H, 4 2B, .833 SLG); Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (.300, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB); Kansas City Royals rookie first baseman Eric Hosmer (.400, 12 H, 3 2B, 7 RBI); Texas Rangers outfielder Endy Chavez (.524, 11 H, 5 RBI) and left-hander Derek Holland (2-0, 3.07 ERA, 12 K, SHO at Cleveland on 6/4); New York Yankees right-hander Bartolo Colon (2-0, 1.88 ERA, 10 K, SHO at Oakland on 5/30); and Seattle Mariners southpaw Jason Vargas (1-0, SHO vs. Tampa Bay on 6/3).

The winner of the American League Player of the Week, David Ortiz, will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

Photo credit: Getty Images

When John Lackey took the mound for the Boston Red Sox yesterday, no one was quite sure what they were going to get. Coming off the disabled list after an elbow issue, his pitch count was to be capped out somewhere in the low 90’s.

In his previous starts, he hasn’t been exactly the $82.5 million pitcher the Red Sox envisioned when he was signed. We know his off field issues have bothered him and it’s affected his performance. So if he could give the Red Sox a chance to win on Sunday, it could be considered a positive sign.

Although he struggled with his command, he did just that in 5 2/3 innings as the bats backed him up in a 6-3 win over the A’s that gave the Red Sox the weekend sweep and gave them some momentum before heading out a nine-game road trip through the AL East.

Lackey only allowed three hits but his lack of command contributed to three hit batters and two walks. While he did look rusty at times, the good news was the velocity on his fastball was there which shows the elbow issues are a thing of the past. Hopefully, he’ll be able to take the positives from this start and carry them over during his bullpen work before he takes the mound again later this week.

It helps when the offense gets him some run support as it does make things easier for the pitcher. Of course trying to get runs against a pitcher in Brett Anderson who has completely dominated you in his short career is no small task either.

But Anderson had his troubles on Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox roughed him up for five runs on nine hits and two walks in five innings of work.

Carl Crawford helped out Lackey with a three-run blast in the second inning. The home run for Crawford was his fifth of the season but more importantly, his first at Fenway Park. Adrian Gonzalez also got into the home run act on Sunday with his 12th home run of the season and fourth over the Green Monster. Ironically enough, Gonzo has hit six home runs at the Fens and six home runs on the road plus his 50 RBIs on the season leads all of MLB.

David Ortiz also continues to defy his critics who said he was done by adding another three hits. Those three hits have his average up to a robust .325. You could definitely say the signing of Gonzalez has had a positive effect on Big Papi as he is using the opposite field more than ever in his career something Gonzo does with ease.

Also, Jarrod Saltalamacchia continues to improve at the plate as he had three hits yesterday which raised his average to .240 on the season. .240 might not sound all that good but given where he was just a short while ago, it’s actually quite good. And with his batterymate Jason Varitek also swinging a better bat, the issues of the pair at the plate seem to be a thing of the past.

All in all, a good weekend for the local nine. They picked up a game on the New York Yankees and trail by one game heading to New York for a three-game set.

The Red Sox are off again today so we’ll be back in just a short while with the pitching matchups for the series that begins with the Yankees tomorrow night. But until then, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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Lackey return good stuff [Boston Globe]

Happy to get extra crucial at-bats [Boston Globe]

Crawford comes out swinging [Boston Globe]

Buchholz start is pushed back [Boston Globe]

Effort by John Lackey earns ‘A’ [Boston Herald]

Loving Adrian Gonzalez’ swing of beauty [Boston Herald]

Forecast for Dice-K looks cloudy [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez vs. Manny Ramirez [Boston Herald]

Off-day musings: The Ortiz conundrum, Lowrie’s splits, Salty settles in [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox sweep A’s with 6-3 win [CSNNE.com]

Crawford irked when hit by Anderson pitch [CSNNE.com]

Ortiz continues to prove he’s nowhere near done [CSNNE.com]

Lackey starts anew with solid return [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Crawford finally hits first Fenway homer [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 6, A’s 3 [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz continues to torch lefties [ESPN Boston]

Crawford keeps power on high [ESPN Boston]

John Lackey shows encouraging signs for Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

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

Sox have 4 picks on first day of MLB draft [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez lead Red Sox to sweep of Athletics [Full Count]

Who are the experts predicting the Sox will select? [Full Count]

A look at who the Red Sox might be targeting in the Major League Baseball draft [Full Count]

The strange story of Darnell McDonald and the challenges of drafting two-sport stars [Full Count]

Video: Carl Crawford Says He’s Been More Focused Against Left-Handers Lately [NESN.com]

Video: John Lackey Felt Good, Pleased With First Start Since Coming Off Disabled List [NESN.com]

John Lackey’s Performance in 6-3 Win An Encouraging Sign for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox to Produce ‘It Gets Better’ Video to Speak Out Against Anti-Gay Bullying [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka ‘Very Shocked’ That He Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka May Never Play in Majors Again After Tommy John Surgery [NESN.com]

Red Sox Still Seeking Identity With Crucial Road Trip on Horizon [NESN.com]

Video: Heidi Watney Gets Fitted for Golf Clubs at Titleist Test Facility [NESN.com]

Jason Aldean Invites Jon Lester, Members of the Red Sox on Stage During Concert in Mansfield (Photo) [NESN.com]

Atchison on his way back to Pawtucket [Projo Sox Blog]

Crawford skeptical that Anderson HBP was accidental [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox could look for starters in college bullpens [Projo Sox Blog]

Return of Lackey helps Boston complete sweep [Providence Journal]

Boston’s lefty hitters are getting it right [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Dice-K hoping surgery doesn’t end his days in Boston [Providence Journal]

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 Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle 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

Calhoun, Blaney and Ollie in field for Travelers Pro-Am [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Walker shuns height issue [Examiner.com]

Braintree town council honors UConn coach Jim Calhoun [The Patriot Ledger]

Author’s Debut on UConn Beat – in Court [Naugatuck Patch]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn commits Stewart, Mosqueda-Lewis shine in exhibition [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Maya Moore Scores 16 Points As Lynx Win First Game [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Hartley, Dolson, Mosqueda-Lewis Named To U-19 Team [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

With Five Huskies On Sun Roster, Question Won’t Go Away [Hartford Courant]

Sun’s newest addition is a familiar face [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Stays Alive with 12-6 Win Over Coastal Carolina [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Survives To Face Clemson [Hartford Courant]

Baseball. Connecticut Wins Pair to Force Deciding Game at NCAA Baseball Regionals [BigEast.org]

Baseball. Fuller Lifts UConn Over Clemson 7-6 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Clemson Regional: UConn 7, Clemson 6 [Mark Schlabach – ESPN.com]

Baseball. UConn Wins 2; Plays Clemson Again Monday For NCAA Regional Title [Hartford Courant]

Baseball: 2011 NCAA Clemson Regional: Day 3 Recap [College Baseball Daily]

Baseball. UConn RHP Matt Barnes represents feel-good story as projected high pick in Draft [Examiner.com]

Baseball. WTIC-1080 AM To Broadcast Baseball Game Tonight [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Featured On Topdrawersoccer.com [UConnHuskies.com]

After a 14th inning walkoff win yesterday, the Boston Red Sox look to complete the sweep of the Oakland A’s in the finale of a three-game set this afternoon at Fenway Park.

This afternoon’s game will start at 1:35 p.m. and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the A’s television market, you can watch the game on CSN California.  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 returns from the 15-day DL to make his eighth start of 2011. In his previous seven starts, Lackey is 2-5 with an 8.01 ERA. He’s made one start against the A’s this year, taking the loss after allowing one run in six innings of work back on 4/19. He’s made 32 career starts against the A’s and is 17-6 with a 2.86 ERA. One of those starts has come at the Fens where he is 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA (4 ER/6 IP).

Brett Anderson makes his 13th start of 2011 for the A’s. In his previous 12 starts, Anderson is 3-5 with a 3.68 ERA. In one start against the Red Sox this season, Anderson picked up the win after allowing no runs in eight innings in that game against Lackey. Overall in his career, Anderson is 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA in six starts. Three of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA.

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

Here are this afternoon’s lineups:

27-32		32-26
1. Coco Crisp	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Ryan Sweeney	LF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. David DeJesus	DH	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Conor Jackson	RF	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Kurt Suzuki	C	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Daric Barton	1B	6. Jed Lowrie	SS
7. Mark Ellis	2B	7. Carl Crawford	LF
8. Kevin Kouzmanoff	3B	8. Mike Cameron	RF
9. Cliff Pennington	SS	9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
Brett Anderson	SP	John Lackey	SP

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

With Lackey coming off the 15-day disabled list, Josh Reddick has been optioned to make room for Lackey on the 25-man roster.

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

Crawford’s diary: I’ve had some good luck [Carl Crawford – ESPN Boston]

J.D. Drew’s final Boston chapter [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Strike zone worth two outs [Boston Globe]

Extra motivation for Sox’ Drew [Boston Globe]

Buchholz may be set back [Boston Globe]

Meltdown averted [Boston Herald]

Two sides of Jon Lester [Boston Herald]

Dice-K no gem, but he has Lackey beat [Boston Herald]

Sox long on toughness [Boston Herald]

Aceves up in bullpen [Boston Herald]

Perfect ending for Drew [Boston Herald]

Pregame notes: Buchholz pushed back, Dice-K speaks [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox take hard route, win in 14th, 9-8 [CSNNE.com]

Umpires tight-lipped over ejections [CSNNE.com]

Drew turns negative day into positive finish [CSNNE.com]

Sox notes: Beckett’s tough luck continues [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Dice-K confirms surgery, Buchholz to start Friday [CSNNE.com]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 9, Athletics 8 [ESPN Boston]

Papelbon: ‘Wasn’t trying to bump umpire’ [ESPN Boston]

Varitek: ‘It’s simple. I lost my cool’ [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia on error: ‘Oh man, I just missed it’ [ESPN Boston]

Drew: 4 straight K’s, then a whiff of success [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox did it the hard way [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox to push Clay Buchholz back; will miss New York Yankees [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K not thinking he’s done with Sox [ESPN Boston]

Reddick down to make room for Lackey [ESPN Boston]

Reddick optioned; Buchholz pushed back [Extra Bases]

For Matsuzaka, the end comes quietly [Extra Bases]

What history says about the Red Sox’ opportunity in this year’s draft [Full Count]

Closing Time: Drew drives in winner of 14-inning marathon [Full Count]

Jonathan Papelbon: ‘I wasn’t even talking to’ umpire Tony Randazzo [Full Count]

Clay Buchholz moved back, Tim Wakefield again steps into the fold [Full Count]

‘Anxious’ and ‘Shocked’ Daisuke Matsuzaka doesn’t think he’s done in Boston [Full Count]

Jason Varitek: ‘I Lost My Cool a Little Bit’ [NESN.com]

Alfredo Aceves Pitches Four Innings of Relief, Shows His Value in Red Sox’ 14-Inning Win Over A’s [NESN.com]

Red Sox Blow Four-Run Lead in Ninth, But Defeat A’s 9-8 in 14 Innings [NESN.com]

Attendance Grows at Fenway Park in 1924, but Red Sox Show Little Improvement on the Field [NESN.com]

Red Sox producing “It Gets Better” video [Projo Sox Blog]

Is Matsuzaka’s Sox career finished? [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona talks about pinch-running decisions [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz will not pitch in New York [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona not sure who extra catcher would have been [Projo Sox Blog]

Drew’s 14th inning single caps off wild day at Fenway [Providence Journal]

Questionable strike zone led to Papelbon, Varitek ejections [Providence Journal]

Sox find a way to get the job done in victory over A’s [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Aceves’ versatility is helping his job security [Providence Journal]

Lackey returns from DL with sweep in mind [RedSox.com]

Aceves proves to be rock in Red Sox’s ‘pen [RedSox.com]

Teammates pick up Pedroia after key error [RedSox.com]

Lowrie’s splits point to right-handed success [RedSox.com]

Scutaro to play second, DH in rehab stint [RedSox.com]

Buchholz’s stiff back becoming an issue [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, head over to the Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle websites.

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 Women’s Basketball links

Kaili McLaren Makes Most Of Opportunity In Greece [Hartford Courant]

UConn Football links

UConn Football Players Concentrating On Classroom In Summer [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Huskies Cruise to 13-3 Win Over Sacred Heart [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Connecticut should have high picks in draft [New Haven Register]

Baseball. Draft Prospects For State Players [Hartford Courant]

Baseball. Huskies take the Heart out of Pioneers [The Hour]

Connecticut keeps hopes alive [Myrtle Beach Sun]

Fagan’s stuff good enough for county’s UConn Hall of Fame [CT Post]

After a rousing comeback in the first game of three-game set last night, the Boston Red Sox look to make it two in a row against the Oakland Athletics today at Fenway Park.

This afternoon’s game will start at 1:10 p.m. and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the A’s television market, you can watch the game on CSN California.  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 rough start his last time out, Josh Beckett looks to turn things back in the right direction in his 12th start of 2011. In his previous 11 starts, Beckett is 4-2 with a 1.80 ERA. He didn’t face the A’s earlier in the season and was 1-0 with a with a 4.50 ERA (3 ER/6 IP) in his only start against them in 2010. He’s made eight career starts against the A’s and is 5-3 with a 4.41 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

Trevor Cahill makes his 13th start of 2011 for skipper Bob Geren. In his previous 12 starts, Cahill is 6-3 with a 2.31 ERA. He also didn’t face the Red Sox earlier this season and was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against them in 2010. He’s made three career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA. He’s had trouble at Fenway in two starts as he is 0-2 with a 8.71 ERA (10 ER/10.1 IP).

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

Here are this afternoon’s lineups:

27-31		31-26
1. David DeJesus	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Ryan Sweeney	CF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Josh Willingham	LF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Hideki Matsui	DH	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Mark Ellis	2B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Daric Barton	1B	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Landon Powell	C	7. Jed Lowrie	SS
8. Kevin Kouzmanoff	3B	8. J.D. Drew	RF
9. Cliff Pennington	SS	9. Jason Varitek	C
Trevor Cahill	SP	Josh Beckett	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against this afternoon’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

Pregame notes: Buchholz’ back may require extra rest [Clubhouse Insider]

Scutaro joins Pawsox on rehab [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz has back concerns [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz’s back an issue [Extra Bases]

Pregame notes: Buchholz dealing with back, Lackey to throw ’90ish’ pitches Sunday [Full Count]

Astros release ex-Sox Bill Hall [HardBallTalk]

Will David Ortiz Eclipse 30-Home Run Plateau This Season? [NESN.com]

Bobby Jenks Returns From DL, Promptly Wins Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]

Peter Gammons Discusses George Springer, Other Local MLB Draft Prospects [NESN.com]

Despite New Management, 1923 Red Sox Continue to Struggle [NESN.com]

Buchholz ailing, could miss start at Yankee Stadium [Projo Sox Blog]

Scutaro to rehab for three games with PawSox [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett looks to keep streaking at home [RedSox.com]

Photo credit: AP Photo, 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

Jim Calhoun To Play In Traveler Celebrity Pro-Am, June 22 [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Report: Trail Blazers interested in UConns Walker [CSNNE.com]

Skepticism greets Kemba at pre-draft workout [CT Post]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Emptying The WNBA/UConn Basketball Notebook [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Will Wear Miss Maya’s No. 23 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Taking UConn Numbers Seriously [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Breanna Stewart Tries For 3rd USA Basketball Roster [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Told You So: Connecticut Sun Sign Jess Moore, Waive Gardin [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

UConn Football links

Big East Power Rankings [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered a couple of questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Pasqualoni Speaking In Bristol June 15th [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Looking Back At A 2010 UConn Football Game: Huskies Beat Syracuse [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Falls to Coastal Carolina 13-1 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Routed 13-1 In NCAA Baseball Opener [Hartford Courant]

Baseball. Scouts love UConn’s Barnes, Springer [Sweet Spot]

Baseball. Connecticut had eye on Coastal Carolina’s Meo [Myrtle Beach Sun News]

Coastal Carolina wins big over Connecticut to open NCAA regionals [Myrtle Beach Sun News]

Coastal Carolina baseball notebook | Meo steps up postseason pitching [Myrtle Beach Sun News]

Baseball. Peter Gammons Discusses George Springer, Other Local MLB Draft Prospects [NESN.com]

There are team wins in baseball and there are also TEAM wins. Last night at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox got a TEAM win over the Oakland Athletics 8-6.

With Clay Buchholz allowing the A’s to put the Red Sox in 4-0 hole early, the bats rallied the team back. And when Buchholz allowed the A’s to regain the lead, it was the bats who got the lead back again with the bullpen making sure, the Red Sox kept it.

Buchholz is at his best when he’s pitching efficiently. And by efficiently I mean not waiting for what seems like an eternity before throwing a pitch. When he struggles, he slows down. Whether this is a by-product of his back bothering him or just a coping mechanism, he needs to pitch confidently and not look like he’s lost his focus.

After that rough first inning which saw the A’s plate four runners on five singles, he settled down and retired eight of the next nine batters. And it’s not like all those balls were hard hit either, it was just a matter of where they were hit. But you saw when he had the confidence, he looked like a better pitcher.

His rising pitch count and the fact the A’s scored six runs (five earned) off of him chased him from the game after 4 2/3 innings. Definitely not what we expected or needed from the youngster. But the bullpen came in and did the job.

Scott Atchison worked an inning allowing just a hit. Tommy Hottovy made his MLB debut and retired the only batter he faced in a lefty on lefty matchup. While Bobby Jenks struggled a bit, he got the job done after a double, a balk and a walk by getting a big inning-ending double play. Daniel Bard allowed a hit and Jonathan Papelbon worked a 1-2-3 9th inning to preserve the win for Jenks.

The other half of the TEAM win was led by the bats of Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Carl Crawford.

Gonzalez continues to make Theo Epstein look like a genius as he added three more hits last night. His only RBI on the night would come in the 1st inning when he brought in Jacoby Ellsbury on a groundout when the Red Sox would eventually cut the lead in half after Big Papi brought in Youk with a single.

An Ellsbury sac fly in the second cut the lead to 4-3 and they would eventually take the lead in the third inning on a Big Papi double and Jed Lowrie single.

Crawford’s big hit would come in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.

Joey Devine took over for former Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow and got Dustin Pedroia to ground out. He then allowed a double to Gonzo, he hit Youk with a pitch in the thigh and walked David Ortiz. A’s skipper Bob Geren stuck with Devine and it worked as he got Lowrie to pop out. He then went to Brian Fuentes who fell behind Crawford and was forced to throw strikes.

On a 3-2 count, Crawford got jammed but put enough muscle on it to get it into center field that allowed two runs to score and give the Red Sox a 7-6 lead. Jarrod Saltalamacchia would add an insurance run in the 8th with a solo blast and that’s all the Red Sox would need on a chilly June at the Fens.

A nice comeback win ended up paying dividends later for the Red Sox as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim beat the New York Yankees 3-2 out on the west coast. The Red Sox win coupled with the loss by the Yanks, puts the Red Sox back to within a game of a first place. But more importantly, that win snapped a four-game losing streak and hopefully puts the Red Sox back in the right direction after temporarily losing their way.

We’ll be back in a little 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 if you’re on the home page.

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

Dicey legacy: Will Matsuzaka impact interest in pitchers from Japan? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Crawford’s hit helps Sox snap four-game skid [Boston Globe]

Major relief for Hottovy to get call [Boston Globe]

Matsuzaka surgery set [Boston Globe]

Carl Crawford delivers with late hit again as Red Sox top A’s [Boston Herald]

Constant change [Boston Herald]

Hottovy finally gets shot with Sox [Boston Herald]

Sox rally to end four-game slide, 8-6 [CSNNE.com]

Crawford gets it right against a lefty [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Buchholz struggles to find form [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox pitchers and Tommy John surgery [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 8, Athletics 6 [ESPN Boston]

Francona: Yocum to do Matsuzaka surgery [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz gives up season high in runs [ESPN Boston]

A night to remember for a kid who didn’t quit [ESPN Boston]

Scutaro to start rehab tomorrow; Matsuzaka set for surgery next week [Extra Bases]

In the clutch, it’s Carl Crawford [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Carl Crawford comes through in the clutch again [Full Count]

It’s official: Daisuke Matsuzaka headed for Tommy John surgery, ‘probably next week’ [Full Count]

The $142 million man is money when it matters [Full Count]

MLB Power Rankings, 6/4: Are the Red Sox in the top 10? [Full Count]

Bobby Jenks isn’t worried about looking pretty right now [Full Count]

Picnic in the Park to Give Fans Chance to Get Up Close and Personal With Red Sox on July 24 [NESN.com]

Media, Fans Surprised at Lack of Support for Red Sox in All-Star Voting [NESN.com]

Carl Crawford, Red Sox Bullpen Come Up Big As Sox Grind Out Win to Snap Skid [NESN.com]

Red Sox Hope Tommy Hottovy Can Pick Up Where Rich Hill Left Off Before Unfortunate Injury [NESN.com]

Crawford, bullpen come through [Providence Journal]

Miller keeping his eyes on the long-term prize [Providence Journal]

Sox have options to fill hole left by Matsuzaka [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Hottovy’s long journey leads to Fenway [Providence Journal]

Youk, Crawford, Adrian design jerseys, T-shirts [Providence Journal]

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 Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle websites.

Photo credit: Elsa – Getty Images