Category Archives: Articles

For a Third Time, MLB on FOX Screws Red Sox Fans in Connecticut

For the third time in the past two seasons, MLB on FOX is screwing over fans of the Boston Red Sox in the state of Connecticut by not showing their game against the Chicago Cubs. Instead, fans will have to watch the New York Yankees and New York Mets do battle in yet another Subway Series.

MLB on FOX screws Connecticut Red Sox fansLast year when the Red Sox played the Philadelphia Phillies, FOX61 in CT showed us the Mets/Yankees. We ended up missing a near no-hitter by Daisuke Matsuzaka. Just a month later, when the Yankees were taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers, FOX 61 decided to show that instead of the Red Sox/San Francisco Giants game.

I know for a fact that FOX61 gets to choose which game they want to broadcast in the Hartford market. I had email conversations with them about this very problem. Once was okay, twice was not and now a third time is just downright ludicrous.

Let’s see, since interleague play began, the Yankees and Mets have done battle while the Red Sox and Cubs have played just once. And what makes this Red Sox and Cubs matchup on Saturday night is not the pitching matchup of Carlos Zambrano and Alfredo Aceves but rather the fact that the Cubs haven’t been to Fenway Park since 1918.

You may remember 1918. It was the last time the Red Sox had won a World Series before 2004. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was in 1907 and they haven’t been there since 1945 when they lost to the Detroit Tigers.

So why on earth would Red Sox fans want to watch the Yankees and Mets when they could see a little history with the Cubs coming to the Fens for the first time in 93 years.

Now for the record, I am complaining on behalf of Red Sox fans here in Connecticut. However, I will not be watching it on television.

When I won an opportunity to purchase Red Sox tickets for any of the Yankees games or the Cubs series, I went with the Cubs. I’ve seen the Red Sox/Yanks in person so many times, both at Fenway and the old Yankee Stadium, that I decided it would be cool to see the Cubs knowing the history I told you about above.

I lucked out and was able to get a ticket for Saturday’s game. So I’ll be there watching it in person as I know some fans of the Red Sox from Connecticut will be doing. But for the others here, they’re stuck watching the Yankees and the Mets.

And that’s just right or fair to Red Sox fans in Connecticut.

The only thing we can do is complain to FOX 61 by lighting up their phone lines at 860-727-0082, fill up their fax machine at 860-293-0178 or send them an email complaining.

For a full look at the MLB on FOX breakdown for Saturday, May 21st, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Here’s the MLB on FOX breakdown for 5/21 courtesy of Ken from Fang’s Bites.

New York Mets at New York Yankees – 36%
ANNOUNCERS:
Joe Buck, Tim McCarver
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox – 32%
ANNOUNCERS:
Kenny Albert & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Fort Myers, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Providence, Salt Lake City, San Diego, St. Louis

Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies – 19%
ANNOUNCERS:
Matt Vasgersian & Tom Grieve & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Albuquerque, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Tulsa

Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants – 12%
ANNOUNCERS:
Dick Stockton & Mark Grace
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle

Red Sox News & Notes – 5/19

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia(notes) stands in the infield as grounds crew rake and pour dirt just before a rain delay in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

The above picture of Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia tells you most of the story from last night. It was a miserable, dreary evening that could have resembled one in England, Scotland or Ireland. But a short time later after the picture was snapped, I’m sure you could find Pedroia smiling in the Red Sox clubhouse.

For the better part of the game, the Red Sox offense was stymied by Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Phil Coke who allowed just three hits, all singles, over the course of the first seven innings. Ryan Perry came in the 8th and got the first two batters he faced before Daniel Schlerleth came in and walked Carl Crawford.

Enter the light-hitting Jarrod Saltalamacchia. I should say he has been stroking the ball a little better as of late and like he did the other night in New York, Salty came through in the clutch, hitting a double to bring in Crawford all the way from first in what turned out to be the only run of the night for either team.

The Red Sox stayed in the game because of another fine start from Clay Buchholz. He didn’t get the win, that went to Daniel Bard, but he definitely deserved it. He had been looking for his fourth straight win in as many chances but instead he’ll have to settle for another quality start.

When Buchholz did get in trouble, he was able to get around it. His fastball had good life and he commanded all of his pitches well. But the 7th inning was key to his success last night.

He entered the 7th having thrown 100 pitches. By the time all was said and done, Buchholz had thrown a career-high 127 pitches.

He got his former batterymate Victor Martinez to ground out. He followed that up by plunking Jhonny Peralta before allowing a single to Alex Avila. He struck out Ryan Raburn for the second out and had Brandon Inge in a hole before he hit him as well. But Buchholz recovered and the 127th pitch of the night he threw was a swinging strike to Austin Jackson to end the threat.

Jonathan Papelbon worked around a leadoff double by VMart in the 9th to pick up the save for Bard and Buchholz.

Everyone expects tonight’s game between Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett to be a pitcher’s duel. No one expected that when they walked into Fenway Park last night. Coke hadn’t been exactly lights out this year. But what you saw was two pitchers who both had excellent stuff and kept the hitters at bay.

The Red Sox will look to keep the momentum going tonight in the finale before the Chicago Cubs come rolling into the Fens for the first time since the 1918 World Series.

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

Buchholz, Saltalamacchia clear the way for a win [Boston Globe]

For now, idea is to hang on with two hands [Boston Globe]

Matsuzaka may miss a month [Boston Globe]

Cubs almost twins [Boston Globe]

Red Sox soak up win on a rainy night at Fenway [Boston Herald]

Red Sox made right call in letting Victor Martinez go [Boston Herald]

No surgery for Daisuke Matsuzaka [Boston Herald]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s coming around [Boston Herald]

Red Sox shut out Tigers, 1-0 [CSNNE.com]

Depleted Sox show interest in Kevin Millwood [CSNNE.com]

Saltalamacchia breaks through in the clutch [CSNNE.com]

V-Mart gets warm welcome from ex-mates [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 1, Tigers 0 [ESPN Boston]

Tito stops counting for Buchholz [ESPN Boston]

Efforts clouded by tough conditions [ESPN Boston]

Salty spices up Sox win [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Jarrod Saltalamacchia steals spotlight away from Victor Martinez [Full Count]

Red Sox exploring rotation depth alternatives [Full Count]

Saltalamacchia starts to make his presence felt for Red Sox [Full Count]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Says Neither Hitters Nor Pitchers Have Advantage on Rainy, Foggy Nights [NESN.com]

Jed Lowrie Says Clay Buchholz Looked His Best All Year Against Tigers [NESN.com]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s Game-Winning Hit Serves as Latest Sign of Progress at Plate [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Once Again Shows His Trust in Clay Buchholz [NESN.com]

Who Has Been the Red Sox’ MVP So Far? [NESN.com]

Saltalamacchia’s RBI double is deciding factor [Providence Journal]

Sox were in catch-22 with Martinez [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Matsuzaka will be out indefinitely [Providence Journal]

V-Mart misses Boston, happy to be with Tigers [RedSox.com]

Cubs’ return kicks off Interleague Play [RedSox.com]

‘Softened’ changeup Beckett’s biggest weapon [RedSox.com]

Scutaro feeling better, but still has oblique pain [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to Ann Arbor News, Detroit Free Press and Detroit News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brothers, Detroit4lyfe and The Tigers Den.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 5/19

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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

Practice Makes Perfect [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Jim Calhoun Says No Decision On Future As He Receives Winged Foot Award [Hartford Courant]

For Calhoun, not much time for reflection [AP]

Calhoun preparing UConn team like he’ll return [ESPN NY]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

No decision coming soon for Holmes [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Maya Moore Talks About Joining The Jordan Brand [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

UConn Club. Zach Goines Named Senior Director Of Development, Athletics [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Atlantic Hockey Announces New Playoff Format For 2012 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Baseball Finishes Regular Season at Cincinnati [UConnHuskies.com]

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 5/18

Phil Coke (L), Clay Buchholz (R)

After being rained out last night, the Boston Red Sox continue their seven-game homestand as they welcome the Detroit Tigers to Fenway Park for a two-game set beginning tonight.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. (weather permitting) and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Tigers television market, you can catch the game on FoxSports Detroit. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Here’s the weather update from the Red Sox:

The current weather forecast (provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Telvent DTN) in the vicinity of Fenway Park calls for the chance of scattered light rain showers during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

All Fenway Park gates will open as regularly scheduled at 5:40 p.m. with a limited opening on Yawkey Way at 5:10 p.m. The Red Sox hope that tonight’s game against the Detroit Tigers, which is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m., will be played. However, the Red Sox want to alert our fans to the possibility of a delay.

This forecast is of course subject to change as the evening progresses. Additional updates will be provided as necessary.

Clay Buchholz looks for his fourth win in as many starts in his ninth start of 2011. In his eight starts, Buchholz is 4-3 with a 3.94 ERA. He made two starts against the Tigers in 2010 going 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA. (2 ER/14.1 IP). He’s faced the Tigers four times in his career and is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 1.20 ERA (2 ER/15 IP).

After beginning the season in Jim Leyland’s bullpen, Phil Coke will make his eight start (10th appearance) for the Tigers. In his previous nine appearances (seven starts), Coke is 1-5 with a 4.54 ERA. He made three apperances out of the bullpen against the Red Sox last season and was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA (2 ER/2 IP). He’s made 16 career appearances against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA.  He’s made eight of those bullpen appearances at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA (3 ER/7.1 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 tonight’s lineups:

Detroit Tigers22-19 Boston Red Sox21-20
1. Austin Jackson CF 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Scott Sizemore 2B 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Brennan Boesch RF 3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Miguel Cabrera 1B 4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Victor Martinez DH 5. David Ortiz DH
6. Jhonny Peralta SS 6. Jed Lowrie SS
7. Alex Avila C 7. Mike Cameron RF
8. Ryan Raburn LF 8. Carl Crawford LF
9. Brandon Inge 3B 9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Phil Coke SP Clay Buchholz SP

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

Detroit Tigers @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

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

Empty tank? What history says about Daisuke Matsuzaka’s health [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Victor Martinez on returning to Fenway: ‘I didn’t want to go away’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Dice K could be out of action until July [Clubhouse Insider]

Painful memories are returning [CSNNE.com]

Sprained elbow sidelines Dice-K for at least a month [CSNNE.com]

Adrian Gonzalez’s Swings Some of the Best Boston Has Seen Since Manny Ramirez [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Video: Olney on starting pitching market [ESPN Boston]

Papi’s hitting fastballs like it’s 2007 [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K MRI shows sprained elbow ligament [ESPN Boston]

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

Sox hope Matsuzaka can avoid Tommy John [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz: Gonzo reminds me of young Papi [ESPN Boston]

Matsuzaka goes on DL with sprained elbow ligament [Extra Bases]

Jerry Remy on D&C: Sox pitchers’ injuries ‘legit’ [Full Count]

Peter Gammons on M&M: Jason Varitek ‘really believes’ in Alfredo Aceves [Full Count]

Daisuke likely out at least a month [Full Count]

Jim Leyland’s comments draw similarities to Red Sox plights [Full Count]

Daisuke: Injury is worse than expected, but surgery not a ‘concern’ [Full Count]

Victor Martinez: Boston was ‘best time of my career’ [Full Count]

Terry Francona on The Big Show: John Lackey ‘not trying to show anybody up’ [Full Count]

Red Sox Statement On Daisuke Matsuzaka [Hartford Courant]

Rays Surprisingly Holding Down First Place in AL East After 1-8 Start to Season [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Shut Down With Sprained UCL, Confident in Avoiding Surgery [NESN.com]

Victor Martinez Calls Time in Boston the ‘Best Time I’ve Had in My Career’ [NESN.com]

Peter Gammons Thinks Finding Replacements for Injured Starting Pitchers Could Be Problematic [NESN.com]

Victor Martinez Returns to Fenway Park, Appreciates Time Spent With Red Sox [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Tigers and Memories of a Division Rival [Projo Sox Blog]

Looking ahead to June, mock drafts rolling out [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka to miss at least a month, likely more [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz looks to cool off red-hot Tigers [RedSox.com]

Cubs at Fenway should be worth the wait [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

Red Sox News & Notes – 5/18

Boston Red Sox baseball fan Eric Moore, of Attleboro, Mass., front right, reacts after hearing that the Red Sox's game against the Baltimore Orioles has been postponed due to rain, in Boston, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

Apparently Mother Nature isn’t a fan of the Boston Red Sox. Either that or she wanted Red Sox fans who are also Boston Bruins fans to be able to watch Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals last night (Bruins won 6-5).

Hopefully though, she didn’t kill the momentum the Red Sox had built up from the “Remy Returns Miracle” on Monday night. That epic comeback gave the Red Sox their fourth straight win and also brought them to a game over .500, a mark that had been elusive until Sunday night in the sweep of the New York Yankees.

If the Red Sox are going to continue winning going forward for the next few weeks, they’re going to need to do it without Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dice-K joined his fellow starting pitcher John Lackey on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow.

It makes you wonder if he ever did fully recover from his strained elbow that took him out of a start a few weeks back. Or did maybe, just maybe did he re-strain it when came out of the bullpen against the Angels.

In the next few weeks, besides the big three of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, the Red Sox are going to be counting on Tim Wakefield (steps in for Lackey) and Alfredo Aceves (in for Dice-K). They are also going to need the bullpen to continue to be on the top of their game.

Michael Bowden is up from Triple-A Pawtucket for the time being and Dan Wheeler should be returning from the disabled list on Friday. Whether it’s Bowden or Scott Atchison who goes when that happens, they’ll also need Wheeler to return to the form he’s once shown.

As long as the offense stays hot and the pitching can perform to the best of their abilities, the Red Sox should be able to weather the storm of being down two starters.

Speaking of storms, the weather forecast for tonight isn’t much better than last night.

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

Bowden will lend a hand in bullpen [Boston Globe]

Ortiz hits upon something [Boston Globe]

Matsuzaka joining Lackey on disabled list [Boston Globe]

Vinik is having a ball [Boston Globe]

Alfredo Aceves moves into rotation [Boston Herald]

Red Sox disable Dice-K [Boston Herald]

Big Papi reborn [Boston Herald]

Daisuke Matsuzaka headed to disabled list; Michael Bowden called up [Clubhouse Insider]

Matsuzaka (sprained elbow) placed on DL [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Bowden called up to Sox; rotation re-ordered [CSNNE.com]

Jenks begins throwing in first step back [ESPN Boston]

Video: ‘BBTN’ on Sox banged-up rotation [ESPN Boston]

Forty percent of the Red Sox rotation is on the disabled list. Now what? [Extra Bases]

A closer look at Matsuzaka’s red flags, and where the Sox rotation goes from here [Full Count]

Why Michael Bowden is with the Red Sox and Felix Doubront is not [Full Count]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Injury Keeps Red Sox in Scramble Mode [NESN.com]

Michael Bowden Gives Red Sox Options As They Try to Patch Up Starting Rotation [NESN.com]

Peter Gammons Says Red Sox Lineup Will Need to Carry Team With Injuries to Rotation [NESN.com]

Peter Gammons Thinks Kevin Youkilis Could Become Even More Important to Red Sox’ Success [NESN.com]

Sox’ starting depth put to test [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Dice-K placed on disabled list; Bowden recalled [Providence Journal]

Bowden excited to be back in Sox’s bullpen [RedSox.com]

Wheeler expected to return to roster Friday [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 5/18

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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

Video: White House All-Access with UConn [SOX & Dawgs]

Calhoun to be Honored (Again) on Wednesday [David Borges – New Haven Register]

A Bit of Recruiting Info [David Borges – New Haven Register]

President Obama Welcomes UConn Huskies to the White House: “Inspiring Some Future Stars” [WhiteHouse.gov]

Huskies weighing options with one scholarship to give [New Haven Register]

In celebration, UConn looks to the future [Andy Katz – ESPN.com]

UConn Football Links

A.J. Portee Transfers From UConn Football To Play For Georgia State [SB Nation Atlanta]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Game at Northeastern Cancelled [UConnHuskies.com]

2011 UConn Football Spring Depth Chart Released

I had meant to get to this much earlier in the day but never really got a chance to take care of it.

UConn Huskies footballUConn football coach Paul Pasqualoni released his final spring depth chart late Monday and there’s really no surprises.

Technically speaking, we still don’t have a QB1 although Mike Box is listed there. But as Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant points out, Pasqualoni went alphabetical there.

With Jordan Todman leaving early for the NFL and with Robbie Frey transferring, the Huskie have very little depth at the position. For now the No. 1 RB spot is D.J. Shoemate’s to lose. Lyle McCombs, who missed part of spring practice after being arrested, is his backup.

As of right now, Kashif Moore is the only starting WR. Isiah Moore and Michael Smith are listed in an “OR” situation at the other spot. Two redshirt freshman Geremy Davis and Tebucky Jones, Jr are Kashif’s backups.

There’s not any surprises defensively and Pasqualoni did not release the special teams depth chart.

For a full look at the 2011 UConn football spring depth chart, click on the read more button below if you’re on the homepage.

Offense

LT
71 Mike Ryan RSr. 6-5 333
72 Jimmy Bennett RJr 6-9 290
78 Dalton Gifford Fr. 6-5 291
LG
70 Gary Bardzak RSr. 6-3 292
50 Tyler Bullock RSo. 6-4 301
64 Joseph Danielson RFr. 6-0 276
C
57 Moe Petrus RSr. 6-2 293
68 Bryan Paull RFr. 6-3 292
62 Ben Chapman RJr. 6-2 272
RG
69 Steve Greene RSo. 6-4 309
65 Gus Cruz RFr. 6-4 275
RT
63 Adam Masters RJr. 6-4 283
77 Kevin Friend RSo. 6-5 290
76 Mark Hansson RFr. 6-5 245
61 Stephen Brown RSo. 6-6 290
TE
89 John Delahunt RJr. 6-3 243 OR
94 Ryan Griffin RJr. 6-6 243
81 Corey Manning RJr. 6-5 249
92 Teddy Baker RFr. 6-4 237
WR
6 Kashif Moore RSr. 5-9 180
85 Geremy Davis RFr. 6-3 200 OR
84 Tebucky Jones RFr. 5-11 179
31 Nick Williams Jr. 5-10 183 OR
8 Leon Kinnard So. 5-9 180
FB
39 Mark Hinkley RJr. 5-11 227
47 Reuben Frank RFr. 6-3 229
49 Sean McQuillan Fr. 6-4 249
QB
4 Mike Box RSo. 6-3 209 OR
11 Scott McCummings RFr. 6-2 227 OR
18 Johnny McEntee RJr. 6-3 221 OR
2 Mike Nebrich Fr. 6-1 189 OR
17 Blaise Driscoll RFr. 6-1 193
TB 
24 D.J. Shoemate Sr. 5-11 217
43 Lyle McCombs RFr. 5-8 163
45 Martin Hyppolite RSo. 6-0 214
42 Jordan Huxtable So. 5-8 183
37 Jonathan Jean-Louis RSr. 6-0 202
WR
83 Isiah Moore RSr. 6-1 188 OR
80 Mike Smith Sr. 6-0 202
88 Gerrard Sheppard RJr. 6-2 209 OR
87 Malik Generett RSo. 6-4 212
17 Frank Guardi So. 5-11 170

Defense

DE
48 Trevardo Williams Jr. 6-1 225
95 Kenton Adeyemi Fr. 6-4 251
97 B.J. McBryde RFr. 6-4 261
52 Patrick Wilson So. 6-2 237
DT
4 Twyon Martin RSr. 6-2 292
53 Ryan Wirth RJr. 6-2 272
56 Angelo Pruitt RFr. 6-2 294
DT
99 Kendall Reyes RSr. 6-4 298
59 Shamar Stephen RSo. 6-5 300
51 Tim Willman RSo. 6-3 275
DE
91 Jesse Joseph Jr. 6-3 257
98 Teddy Jennings RJr. 6-5 242
58 Jonathan Louis RFr. 6-5 241
26 Marcus Campbell Sr. 6-3 230
LB
3 Sio Moore RJr. 6-1 232
19 Kijuan Dabney Sr. 6-1 192
34 David Kenney RSo. 6-0 200
30 Matt Edwards RJr. 6-0 190
LB
55 Jerome Williams RJr. 6-1 233
28 Jory Johnson RJr. 6-1 228
36 Mike Osiecki RFr. 6-1 225
LB
33 Yawin Smallwood RFr. 6-2 227
9 Andrew Opoku RFr. 6-4 224
41 Brandon Steg RFr. 6-2 214
CB
7 Dwayne Gratz RJr. 6-0 188
21 Gary Wilburn RSr. 5-11 197
35 Chris Lopes RSo. 5-10 192
S
15 Jerome Junior RJr. 6-1 214
2 Gilbert Stlouis So. 5-11 181
40 Ty-Meer Brown RFr. 6-0 184
S
25 Harris Agbor RSr. 5-11 183
16 Byron Jones RFr. 6-1 178
38 Alex Kantor So. 5-9 191
CB
5 Blidi Wreh-Wilson RJr. 6-0 191
29 Taylor Mack So. 5-9 170
20 Tevrin Brandon RSo. 5-10 177

Dice-K To DL; Bowden Called Up

One day after losing John Lackey to the disabled list with a strain of his right elbow, the Boston Red Sox have lost another starter to the DL.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka reacts after being hit by a line drive off the bat of Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts May 16, 2011.Before tonight’s game which was eventually postponed due to the inclement weather, Daisuke Matsuzaka went for an MRI. And shortly after the game was canceled, the Red Sox announced that Dice-K was going on the 15-day DL with a sprained right elbow.

He’s been replaced on the 25-man roster by Michael Bowden, who called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. Alfredo Aceves will step into the rotation for Dice-K with Bowden taking his place his place in the bullpen. Aceves first start will be this Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

In 14 appearances for the PawSox, Bowden is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA and four saves. He’s thrown 22.2 innings and allowed 15 hits, 4 walks while striking out 28.

Tim Wakefield was scheduled to start the now postponed game and will start on Sunday night against the Cubs.

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 5/17

Update 6:55 p.m.: Tonight’s game has been postponed. No makeup date has been announced.

Zach Britton (L), Tim Wakefield (R)

After a dramatic comeback last night, the Boston Red Sox look for a sweep of their brief two-game set with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Fenway Park.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. (weather permitting) and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN. 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 steps in for John Lackey who was placed on the 15-day DL with a right elbow strain yesterday. Wake has made 11 appearances (two starts) in 2011 and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He’s made one appearance against the Orioles and pitched a scoreless inning of relief back on 4/27. He’s made 50 career appearances (35 starts) against the O’s in his career and is 16-13 with a 4.13 ERA. Wake has made 25 appearances (19 starts) against the Orioles at Fenway Park and is 9-7 with a 4.40 ERA.

Rookie Zach Britton is one of the early season favorites for the AL Rookie of the Year as he has amassed a 5-2 record with a 2.42 ERA in eight starts. He’s faced the Red Sox once this season (only time in his career), picking up the win after allowing one run in six innings of work back on 4/26 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

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 tonight’s lineups:

Baltimore Orioles19-21 Boston Red Sox21-20
1. Robert Andino 2B 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Nick Markakis RF 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Adam Jones CF 3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero DH 4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Luke Scott LF 5. David Ortiz DH
6. Mark Reynolds 3B 6. Jed Lowrie SS
7. Matt Wieters C 7. Mike Cameron RF
8. J.J. Hardy SS 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Jake Fox 1B 9. Darnell McDonald LF
Zach Britton SP Tim Wakefield SP

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

Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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Tim Wakefield starts tonight, but what’s next for Daisuke Matsuzaka? [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Dice-K has MRI; DL may be next [Clubhouse Insider]

Matsuzaka sent for MRI on elbow Tuesday [CSNNE.com]

Mayday! Gonzo on track for record month [ESPN Boston]

SoxProspects.com: Pimental’s progress [ESPN Boston]

Globe 10.0: Should the Red Sox re-sign David Ortiz now? [Extra Bases]

With Lackey out and Matsuzaka reeling, the Red Sox have starters in reserve [Extra Bases]

Sox release Johnson, a first-round pick [Extra Bases]

HBO focuses on Johnson family tonight [Extra Bases]

Podcast: Finally playing above .500 [Extra Bases]

Matsuzaka sent for MRI on elbow [Extra Bases]

Bowden on his way to Fenway [Extra Bases]

Release of Kris Johnson highlights strange case of 2006 draft for Red Sox [Full Count]

Sox pitching staff in flux amidst concerns about health of Lackey, Daisuke [Full Count]

Red Sox Mailbag: Boston Unlikely to Participate in Albert Pujols Sweepstakes [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Has MRI on Right Elbow, Status for Next Start Uncertain [NESN.com]

Wild walkoff win! [Nuggetpalooza]

Matsuzaka sent for MRI; Wheeler near return [Projo Sox Blog]

Bowden called up, Matsuzaka apparently headed to DL [Projo Sox Blog]

McDonald in lineup for first time in May [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield subs into rotation for ailing Lackey [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

Red Sox News & Notes – 5/17

Boston Red Sox's Adrian Gonzalez celebrates after his game-winning, two-run double against the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Monday, May 16, 2011.

The weather last night at Fenway Park kind of can explain the start by Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. It was cold, dark, dreary and drizzly. And although we’ll never know how much him getting hit by the ball off the bat of Brian Roberts at the start of the game, things got brighter at the end.

You could have sworn it was sunny and in the 80’s by the end of the night though as the Red Sox completed an epic comeback as they rallied from six runs down to take an 8-7 walkoff win over the Baltimore Orioles. You may remember that four years ago, the Red Sox did the same thing in the “Mother’s Day Miracle”. After the game, NESN’s Tom Caron, called this the “Remy Returns Miracle” since NESN analyst Jerry Remy returned to the NESN booth for the first time since April 26th.

The Red Sox managed only five hits through the first five innings against Orioles starter Chris Tillman. But once Buck Showalter went to his bullpen in the 6th, things started to look up for the Red Sox as they mounted their comeback. They would score five runs in the 6th off of Michael Gonzalez and Jeremy Accardo.

J.D. Drew got things started with a single (he ended up at second on an error by Luke Scott). Drew came home quickly on a Jed Lowrie double. Carl Crawford would reach on an error by Mark Reynolds with Lowrie moving to third. Lowrie would score on a Jason Varitek single. Gonzalez would get Jacoby Ellsbury to fly out. Accardo would come in and get Dustin Pedroia to fly out and it looked as though the Red Sox rally might end there.

But Adrian Gonzalez would keep the inning going with a run-scoring single and then Kevin Youkilis followed that up with a bases-clearing double to cut the lead to 6-5. Clay Rapada would come in and walk David Ortiz but he got ended the inning by getting Drew to weakly ground out to second.

It didn’t take long for the Orioles to get a run back as Reynolds crushed an Alfredo Aceves offering to push the lead back to 7-5. The Red Sox would get the run back in the 7th when Lowrie tripled and came around to score on Varitek’s second RBI of the night. Aceves and Orioles reliever Koji Uehara would maintain the status quo, setting up the rally in the 9th for the Red Sox.

Orioles closer Kevin Gregg got Tek to fly out to start the inning. Ellsbury worked a walk and stole second with Pedroia at the plate. After a nine-pitch at-bat by Pedroia, he worked a walk setting the stage for Gonzo who took the first pitch he saw and put it off the monster for the walkoff double to win it for the Red Sox.

You may remember Pedroia’s 13 pitch AB against the Angels’ Jeff Weaver. This nine pitch AB against Gregg was equally as important. It forced Gregg to have to throw strikes against Gonzo which if you’ve been watching him this month, is not something you really want to do.

When it looked the Red Sox were down and out last night, they never gave up. It was a reminder of the 2003 and 2004 teams that never had any quit in them. They had a built up a ton of momentum over the weekend with the sweep of the New York Yankees and it looked like it would be lost.

But now the Red Sox find themselves with a four-game winning streak and chance to keep their rise in the AL East standings. They’ll need a solid start from Tim Wakefield tonight, who is filling in for John Lackey who went on the 15-day DL with a right elbow strain. They’ll also have to battle the elements as rain is forecast in the Fenway Park vicinity all day.

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

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Gonzalez and Red Sox rally to beat Orioles [Boston Globe]

Lackey put on disabled list [Boston Globe]

Youkilis was a big hit for the Sox, too [Boston Globe]

Red Sox walk off happy [Boston Herald]

John Lackey can’t hide from issues [Boston Herald]

Matt Albers finds right fit [Boston Herald]

Lackey starts DL stint [Boston Herald]

Feel-good win familiar [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez’ bat proves he never lost faith in Red Sox’ comeback [Clubhouse Insider]

Gonzalez’ walkoff caps Sox rally, 8-7 [CSNNE.com]

Francona: Dice-K ‘didn’t look right’ [CSNNE.com]

Gonzalez saves his best for last [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Struggling Lackey placed on disabled list [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Sox 8, O’s 7 [ESPN Boston]

Tito: Dice-K ‘didn’t seem completely right’ [ESPN Boston]

Video: ‘BBTN’ on surging Sox [ESPN Boston]

Adrian Gonzalez’s torrid May gets Boston Red Sox on track [ESPN Boston]

Gonzalez was the man with a plan [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Adrian Gonzalez completes comeback for Red Sox [Full Count]

Red Sox Use Relentless Effort to Come Back to Beat Orioles, Finally Climb Over .500 [NESN.com]

Routine and Recovery Keeping Rich Hill in Tip-Top Shape [NESN.com]

Gonzalez doubles in ninth for walk-off win [Providence Journal]

Albers proving to be go-to-guy in Sox’ bullpen [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lackey lands on DL with elbow strain [Providence Journal]

Adrian Gonzalez’ bat sends a message (in more ways than one) [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

Photo credit: AP Photo