After a dismal April and first two games of the homestand, the Boston Red Sox look to once again salvage the finale of a series this time around against the Seattle Mariners this afternoon at Fenway Park.

First pitch for this afternoon is at 1:35 p.m. and the game will be televised by NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Mariners television market, you can catch the game on Root Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Tim Wakefield fills in today for Clay Buchholz who is battling a small case of the flu. Wake has no record with a 5.56 ERA in seven appearances this season. He made one start against the Mariners in 2010 taking the loss after allowing three runs in 5.2 innings. Overall in his career, he’s made 27 appearances (17 starts) against the Mariners and is 4-10 with a 4.18 ERA. He’s made 16 appearances (113 starts) against the M’s at Fenway Park and is 3-6 with a 3.74 ERA.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez looks to help his team to a sweep this afternoon. He’s made six starts in 2011 and is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 picking up the win after allowing two runs  (one earned) in 7.1 IP). He’s made eight career starts against the Red Sox and is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA. He’s enjoyed great success at Fenway Park where he is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts.

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

Here are this afternoon’s lineups:

13-15		11-15
1. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Chone Figgins	3B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ryan Langerhans	LF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Miguel Olivo	C	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Justin Smoak	1B	5. J.D. Drew	RF
6. Jack Cust	DH	6. Jed Lowrie	3B
7. Luis Rodriguez	SS	7. Marco Scutaro	SS
8. Michael Saunders	CF	8. Carl Crawford	LF
9. Jack Wilson	2B	9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
Felix Hernandez	SP	Tim Wakefield	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

Lack of offense for Sox [Boston Globe]

After a month, season is off to a startling start [Boston Globe]

No call for backup [Boston Globe]

Wakefield forced into a tough spot [Boston Globe]

Red Sox waste opportunities, lose to Mariners [Boston Herald]

High ‘n’ mighty? [Boston Herald]

Sox show little here to love [Boston Herald]

Wake’s start hits spot [Boston Herald]

David Oritz first month makes T-shirt moot [Boston Herald]

Mike Cameron adjusts [Boston Herald]

As the Red Sox’ rotation turns, Josh Beckett pushed back [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox miss chances, fall to Mariners, 2-0 [CSNNE.com]

Lackey not focused on run support [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Sox continue to struggle with RISP [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Youk sits out, Wakefield gets starting nod [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Mariners 2, Sox 0 [ESPN Boston]

Offense fails to back up Lackey [ESPN Boston]

Wakefield, Red Sox meet King Felix, Mariners [ESPN Boston]

Lester starts Tuesday [Extra Bases]

Weaver scratched; could face Red Sox next [Extra Bases]

Ichiro styling on a Sunday morning [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Sox go 0-for-11 with RISP to spoil solid Lackey start [Full Count]

Pregame Notes: Youkilis held out so that sore hip won’t ‘linger’ [Full Count]

Red Sox Continue to Struggle in One-Run Games, Bullpen Faces Tough Couple of Days Ahead [NESN.com]

Peter Abraham Says Tim Wakefield’s Role With Red Sox Is Like a Reality Show [NESN.com]

What Grade Would You Give the Red Sox for April? [NESN.com]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Tips His Cap to Mariners Starter Doug Fister, But Knows Red Sox Need to Start Producing With Runners on Base [NESN.com]

John Lackey Says His Fastball Command Versus Mariners Wasn’t as Good as It Was in His Last Start [NESN.com]

Francona shuffling starting rotation [Projo Sox Blog]

Okajima submits best outing of season [Projo Sox Blog]

Victor Martinez to play at Pawtucket this week [Projo Sox Blog]

Just another night of total frustration [Providence Journal]

Francona running out of options to spur struggling Sox [Providence Journal]

Red Sox highs and lows of April [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Despite Pedroia’s recent struggles, Tito’s not worried [Providence Journal]

Contrasting pitchers take Fenway hill [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 Oregonian, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times and Tacoma Tribune websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Mariner Mayhem.

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

After waiting two days, Saturday was the first day that any UConn Huskies football players would hear there names called during the 2011 NFL Draft. Everyone expected that we would hear running back Jordan Todman’s named called probably during the third or fourth round but that was simply not the case.

It turns out that fullback Anthony Sherman got to hear his name first as the Arizona Cardinals took him with the fifth pick of the 5th round (136th overall). Sherman should have a chance to make the Cardinals as a special teamer, a position he played so well during his days at UConn.

As the rest of the 5th round went on, Todman’s name wasn’t heard still as other running backs were coming off the board.

In the 6th round with the first pick, the Carolina Panthers got things started by taking linebacker Lawrence Wilson (166th overall). Finally, 17 picks later, Todman came off the board as he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 18th pick of the 6th round (183rd overall).

And the Huskies players weren’t done being drafted after Todman as the Philadelphia Eagles took linebacker/defensive end Greg Lloyd II with the 34th pick of the 7th round  (237th overall).

The four draft picks for the Huskies ties the school record that was set back in 2009. Be sure to check out the 2011 NFL Draft Day quotes from all four Huskies that were selected.

Unfortunately for offensive lineman Zach Hurd and linebacker Scott Lutrus, they were not selected in the draft. And the even worse news for them is that while they both will probably sign contracts as undrafted rookie free agents, they will have to wait to do so until the NFL Lockout is resolved once again.

Our congratulations go out to all four Huskies selected. May your dreams of making an NFL roster come true.

After falling last night to the Seattle Mariners, the Boston Red Sox to escape their dismal month of April with a win in the second game of a three-game set tonight at Fenway Park.

First pitch for tonight is 7:10 p.m. and the game will be televised by NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Mariners television market, you can catch the game on Root Sports. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as the game will also be broadcast on the MLB Network. 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 looks to keep his good run going tonight for Terry Francona and the Red Sox in his 5th start of 2011. In his four previous starts, he is 2-2 with a 6.35 ERA. He made two starts against the Mariners in 2010 and was 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA (2 ER/16 IP). He’s made 27 career starts against them and is 13-9 with a 3.64 ERA.

Doug Fister makes his sixth start of 2011 for skipper Eric Wedge, who could have the best mustache in all of baseball right now. In his previous four starts, he is 1-3 with a 3.19 ERA. He’s made three career starts against the Red Sox, all of them coming in 2010. In those three starts, he is 0-2 with a 4.34 ERA. One of those starts came at Fenway where he took the loss after allowing five runs (two earned) back on August 23, 2010.

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:

12-15		11-14
1. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Chone Figgins	3B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Milton Bradley	LF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Miguel Olivo	C	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Justin Smoak	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Jack Cust	DH	6. J.D. Drew	RF
7. Michael Saunders	CF	7. Jed Lowrie	SS
8. Brendan Ryan	SS	8. Carl Crawford	LF
9. Jack Wilson	2B	9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
Doug Fister	SP	John Lackey	SP

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

And a quick note here, Clay Buchholz has been scratched from tomorrow’s start. In his place, Tim Wakefield will toe the rubber. Buchholz is sick and is now scheduled to start on Monday night.

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

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Rotation shuffle: Buchholz sick, Wakefield starts Sunday [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox early notes: Dice-K doing well [CSNNE.com]

Boston Red Sox’s Daisuke Matsuzaka (elbow) checks out OK; Tim Wakefield to start for Clay Buchholz on Sunday vs. Seattle Mariners [ESPN Boston]

Street closings around Fenway tomorrow [Extra Bases]

The strange season of Kevin Youkilis [Extra Bases]

Wakefield to face Mariners tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Pregame Notes: Matsuzaka doing ‘fairly well’ day after early exit [Full Count]

Rivalry Watch: Red Sox Vs. Yankees [Hartford Courant]

Charting the leadoff batter [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox “upbeat” about Matsuzaka [Projo Sox Blog]

Dan Wheeler drops in on Little League festivities in Warwick [Projo Sox Blog]

Schilling tabbed for commencement speech [RedSox.com]

Wakefield to start Sunday for ill Buchholz [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

Honestly, right now I’ve got no words for what’s going on. It’s been a frustrating ride as a fan of the Boston Red Sox so far this season. Just when things start to look up, they turn right back around again. Any chance of a .500 record in the month of April went out the window last night.

Daisuke Matsuzaka had been great in his last two starts, allowing just two hits and no runs. By the end of the first inning in the 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park, Dice-K had already allowed two runs.

He struggled with his command all night long and then in the 5th inning, his fastball velocity dropped from 93-94 mph to 86-87 mph. Catcher Jason Varitek along with skipper Terry Francona noticed this and Francona removed Dice-K from the game with what was termed right elbow stiffness.

After the game, both Matsuzaka and Francona said he should be able to make his next start on Wednesday. But since the Red Sox have no off days during this 11-game homestand, they may have to turn to Tim Wakefield or even the Triple-A PawSox if Dice-K can’t go. I’m sure they’ll know a lot more today when he reports to the ballpark.

You can bet that will be one of the topics Tito will address in his pre-game meeting with reporters, that is if they aren’t sitting in the press box watching the Bruins game.

Is anybody else having flashbacks to the brief Eric Gagne days with Bobby Jenks right now?

Jenks has pretty much stunk up the joint as of late. And remember, he signed a two-year deal worth $12 million as insurance in case Jonathan Papelbon bolts during free agency. If Jenks continues to blow clam chowder chunks, Papelbon is setting himself up for a nice little pay day from the Red Sox if they so choose.

When Jenks came into the game, the Red Sox held a 4-3 lead and it looked like the Jenks, Daniel Bard and Papelbon end of the game plan was set up. But when he left the Red Sox were trailing 5-4 and they would see their last six batters of the night not mount an attack. If you go back to the final outs of the sixth inning, it was actually their last ten batters who couldn’t do anything.

It would be really nice to see the Red Sox put this dismal month of April behind by closing out the month with a win.

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

Smoak-free: Why Sox lament watching emerging Mariners star [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox are bunch of lost souls [Boston Globe]

Elbow pain causes early exit [Boston Globe]

Move was out of left field [Boston Globe]

Sox lose Daisuke Matsuzaka, game [Boston Herald]

Talk about your troubled times [Boston Herald]

Papi in zone against lefties [Boston Herald]

Matsuzaka leaves with injury, Sox fall 5-4 [CSNNE.com]

Jenks at a loss to explain struggles [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Dice-K not worried by elbow [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Mariners 5, Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Daisuke Matsuzaka says elbow is fine, but his leaving the Boston Red Sox game suggests otherwise [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Matsuzaka injured as Red Sox lose to Mariners [Full Count]

Daisuke ‘not worrying too much about’ elbow, expected to make next start [Full Count]

Bobby Jenks: ‘I don’t know what to say right now’ [Full Count]

Why one Red Sox prospect was elated when Pats drafted Ryan Mallett [Full Count]

Terry Francona Hopeful Daisuke Matsuzaka Won’t Miss a Start After Leaving Game With Elbow Tightness [NESN.com]

Roger Clemens’ 20-Strikeout Game Against Mariners Helped Put NESN on the Map [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Recent Performances Prove He’s Still a Valid Fourth or Fifth Starter [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors With Eight-Inning Performance in Baltimore [NESN.com]

Dice-K exits early; Jenks blows lead [Providence Journal]

Ellsbury again at the top of lineup, and top of his game [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Ortiz finding his stroke against lefties [Providence Journal]

Cameron hopes homers get his bat hot [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 Oregonian, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times and Tacoma Tribune websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Mariner Mayhem.

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: Ultimate Championship [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Calhoun to speak at Bridgeport JCC breakfast [CT Post]

UConn Football links

Big East Friday mailbag [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

Wait until Saturday [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

After 3 Rounds, UConn Still Shut Out Of Draft [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Huskies Fall to Rutgers 8-3 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. Huskies Edge Out Villanova, 13-11 [UConnHuskies.com]

After going 6-3 on their nine-game 10-day road trip, the Boston Red Sox kick off an 11-game homestand with a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park.

First pitch for tonight is 7:10 p.m. and the game will be televised by NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Mariners television market, you can catch the game on Root Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Daisuke Matsuzaka looks to make his third straight strong start for Terry Francona and the Red Sox. In four starts in 2011, Dice-K is 2-2 with a 4.09 ERA. He made two starts against the Mariners in 2010 and had no record with a 4.50 ERA. He’s made eight career starts against the Mariners and is 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA. Both of his wins have come in Seattle.

Jason Vargas looks to end a personal nine-game losing streak tonight at the Fens. He’s made five starts in 2011 and is 0-2 with a 5.53 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 (7/23), and took the loss after allowing two runs in seven innings. He’s made two career starts against the boys from Beantown and is 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA. This will be his first career appearance at Fenway Park which makes this the 26th ballpark he’s pitched in. He hasn’t pitched at Target Field (Twins), Rogers Centre (Blue Jays), AT&T Park (Giants), Citi Field (Mets), Nationals Park (Nationals) and Turner Field (Braves).

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:

11-15		11-13
1. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Chone Figgins	3B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Milton Bradley	LF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Miguel Olivo	C	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Justin Smoak	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Jack Cust	DH	6. Jed Lowrie	SS
7. Adam Kennedy	2B	7. Mike Cameron	RF
8. Michael Saunders	CF	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Brendan Ryan	SS	9. Darnell McDonald	LF
Jason Vargas	SP	Daisuke Matsuzaka	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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

Podcast: Schilling talks Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

25th anniversary of Clemens’ 20 K’s [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox sit Crawford against lefty Vargas [ESPN Boston]

Manny Ramirez hints he might play winter ball in Dominican Republic [ESPN Boston]

Some random thoughts on a Friday [Extra Bases]

The Red Sox are following the NBA and NHL playoffs, too [Extra Bases]

Kevin Millar on M&M: ‘Papelbon’s back’ [Full Count]

Roger Clemens’ 25th Anniversary of 20-Strikeout Game Against Mariners Evokes Memories of Rare Baseball Accomplishment [NESN.com]

Peter Gammons Filling In for Jerry Remy During Friday Night’s NESN Red Sox Telecast [NESN.com]

Friday Nuggetpalooza! [Nuggetpalooza]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Mariners and Romantic Poetry [Projo Sox Blog]

Return of old changeup has sparked Dice-K revival [Projo Sox Blog]

Police: Derek Lowe was drunk, racing another driver [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka looks to continue red-hot streak tonight vs. Seattle [Providence Journal]

Vargas set for first appearance at Fenway Park [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

With Jon Lester on the mound for the Boston Red Sox last night, you had to figure they had a pretty decent chance to escape Baltimore with a win. After all, he had never lost to the Baltimore Orioles as he was 13-0 in 16 career starts against them.

And that’s exactly what happened last night in a 6-2 win which moved the Red Sox out of last place, a ½ game ahead of the Orioles. If the Red Sox can take the first two games of their three-game weekend set, they could escape April with a .500 record as they now sit at 11-13.

The Red Sox got Lester a 1-0 lead before even he threw his first pitch. But after the first inning, the score was tied at 1-1. After that though, Lester dominated the Orioles like he’s done in the past. He didn’t allow another hit until Vladimir Guerrero tied it up at 2-2 with a solo home run in the 6th.

Lester’s cutter and changeup were nasty last night. When he throws those two pitches for strikes, he can be as dominant as anybody out there and that showed. But even Lester can’t explain why he’s owned the Orioles in his career.

“If I knew the answer to that, I’d do well against everybody,” Lester said, shaking his head. “I just pitch well against this team. … I just really don’t know. I’m aware of the track record I have against them, but I don’t know how to explain it. I feel comfortable against them. I really like pitching here at this park, I’ve always felt good here.”

With the way the Red Sox offense has been going, it didn’t look like Lester would have a chance for his third win of the season.

The Red Sox had runners on second and third with no outs in the 6th inning of off Orioles starter Brad Bergesen. But he recovered and struck out Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. The Orioles then decided to intentionally walk J.D. Drew to get to a struggling Jarrod Saltalamacchia. It worked out to perfection for the Oreos as Salty flew out to the warning track.

Salty came up with the same situation in the 8th inning and the Red Sox holding a 3-2 lead. Youk reached on a leadoff walk from Orioles reliever Jim Johnson. Mike Gonzalez came in and gave up a single to Big Papi. Mike Cameron pinch-hit for Drew and walked setting the stage for Salty.

This time though, Salty came through as he hit a single bringing in two runs. Gonzalez then struck out Carl Crawford and gave way to Jason Berken who got Marco Scutaro, making a rare start, to pop out. But Jacoby Ellsbury came through with his third hit of the night to provide the final margin of 6-2.

With Ellsbury starting heat up at the top of the lineup, things should start to look up for the Red Sox. Skipper Terry Francona has always said as Ellsbury goes, the Red Sox can win. That basically means, if Ellsbury can get on base, good things will happen for the Red Sox. Now if they could only get Crawford on base since he’s a game changer as well.

Everyone’s been worried about the slow start of Adrian Gonzalez. And when I say slow start, I mean the home runs. He was hitting .290 before last night’s game but he came through with three hits and two RBIs. His two doubles both went to left field and with the homestand starting tonight, the Green Monster might get a few dents from Gonzo.

Hopefully the warmer weather means the Red Sox will begin to heat up. This team is just too good to be 11-13 right now.

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

Lester’s performance is simply unbeatable [Boston Globe]

Ellsbury now a leading man [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez is closer to his comfort zone [Boston Globe]

Reddick is unfazed by crowded outfield [Boston Globe]

Jon Lester owns Baltimore [Boston Herald]

Jon Lester puts end to April fools joke [Boston Herald]

Sore hip hobbles Kevin Youkilis [Boston Herald]

Lester dominates as Sox beat Orioles, 6-2 [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Ellsbury hitting his stride at the plate [CSNNE.com]

For once, Lester enjoys April flowers [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 6, Orioles 2 [ESPN Boston]

For Ortiz, left is right and right is … wrong? [ESPN Boston]

Adrian Gonzalez cites flaw in mechanics, still confident [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox head home in style after win over Orioles [Full Count]

Terry Francona Not Playing Favorites at Shortstop, Balancing Time Between Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis’ Offense Starting to Pick Up, Should Have No Problem Hitting 30 Home Runs This Season [NESN.com]

Lester ends road trip on high note [Providence Journal]

Saltalamacchia delivers in the clutch [Providence Journal]

Boston’s batters can’t catch a break [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Scutaro gets the start, but his time may be getting short [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 Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

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, Kemba On “One Book” [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Dailey Receives Award, Holds Court In Stratford [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Chris Dailey praised in Stratford for ‘incredible job’ done with UConn women [CT Post]

UConn Football links

Big East draft bargains [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

New UConn coach Pasqualoni says transition has been smooth [CT Post]

UConn’s Draft Ties [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Jordan Todman always pushing himself [New Haven Register]

Waterford graduate ready for next step [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

W. Lacrosse. UConn Closes Regular Season On The Road [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Baseball Travels to Rutgers this Weekend [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Mazzilli making mark on the baseball diamond at UConn [Greenwich Time]

“Husky Day” Celebrated At State Capitol [UConnHuskies.com]

The Boston Red Sox will look to salvage the finale of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market.  If you live in the Orioles television market, the game will be broadcast 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.

Jon Lester looks to continue his dominance of the Orioles tonight for Terry Francona. Lester was 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in four starts against the O’s in 2010. Overall in his career, Lester is 13-0 with 2.33 ERA in 16 starts. Eight of those starts have come in the Charm City where 6-0 with a 2.50 ERA. The lefty has made five starts in 2011 and is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA.

Brad Bergesen will look to lead his team to a sweep of the Red Sox tonight. He’s made four appearances (three starts) in 2011 and is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA. He made four starts against the Red Sox in 2010 and was 2-2 with a 3.75 ERA. He’s made six career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-3 with a 3.32 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 tonight’s lineups:

10-13		10-12
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Brian Roberts	2B
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Nick Markakis	RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Derek Lee	1B
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Adam Jones	CF
6. J.D. Drew	RF	6. Matt Wieters	C
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	7. Mark Reynolds	3B
8. Carl Crawford	LF	8. Jake Fox	LF
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Robert Andino	SS
Jon Lester	SP	Brad Bergesen	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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

Gonzalez: Only a matter of time [ESPN Boston]

Pregame news from Baltimore [Extra Bases]

Heidi Watney Takes You Through Red Sox Clubhouse, Onto Field in Baltimore [NESN.com]

What Is the Biggest Area of Concern for the Red Sox? [NESN.com]

Interesting tidbits come out of MLB Network conversation with Bill Buckner [Projo Sox Blog]

Dan Wheeler still trying to find role in Red Sox bullpen [Projo Sox Blog]

Scutaro back in the Red Sox lineup, Lowrie sits [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester out to continue dominance vs. O’s [RedSox.com]

Make-up date for April 13 rain-out [RedSox.com]

Fenway Park 100th Anniversary Brick Program [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

The game of baseball can be a funny game at times yet it can be a cruel one as well. What amazes me the most is how one miscue can change the course of the game for better or for worse depending on who you’re rooting for.

Well that’s what happened to the Boston Red Sox in their 5-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Josh Beckett was well on his way to another great outing when a popup fell between center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and second baseman Dustin Pedroia in the 4th inning with one out due to a little miscommunication. Beckett temporarily recovered as he got Vladimir Guerrero to pop out. But he fell behind Luke Scott 1-0 and on the next pitch Scott knocked the ball out of the park admiring it along the way to put the O’s up 2-0. 

Beckett gave Scott a nice little stare down and it left us to wonder if Scott would see the light tower buzzed in his next AB. Nothing came of it but Beckett did say after the game, it was filed away in the ol’ noggin. He also had words with the home plate umpire at the end of the inning.

“Those things have a way of working themselves out,” he said.

“Is this TMZ? I thought we were talking about a baseball game. You want to know about bat-flips and talking to umpires,” said Beckett. “I think we should probably just stick to the game. I thought we did a good job battling back, and we came up one run short.”

Looking a little rattled, Beckett got behind Jones 2-0 and gave up another home run that put the O’s up 3-0.  The Oreos added another run in the 6th to go up 4-0 and it looked the Red Sox were going to lose their second straight game.

But a big rally in the 8th inning, led by a three-run homer by Kevin Youkilis tied it up at 4-all only to see Daniel Bard end up taking his third loss of the season after allowing a run in the bottom half of the inning.

Any momentum the Red Sox had built up on the California swing of this road trip looks to be lost right now. The starting pitching hasn’t been as good as it was then and up until the 8th inning last night, the offense appears to be stuck in neutral again. At some point, it has to start ticking on all cylinders. We’ve seen flashes of it but still haven’t seen the whole enchilada.

The Red Sox do have the right man on the mound tonight though as Jon Lester has owned the Orioles throughout his career. A win to end the road trip would be a good way to get things back on track as the local nine returns back home to Boston tomorrow 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.

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Head-scratching: For now, parts not adding up for Sox [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox lose the handle late [Boston Globe]

Curt answer to a flip response [Boston Globe]

After pushing back, momentum is lost [Boston Globe]

User errors doom Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Explosive 4th sinks Josh Beckett [Boston Herald]

No end to short story [Boston Herald]

Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia miscue hurts [Boston Herald]

Red Sox fall late to Orioles, 5-4 [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Ortiz turning things around against lefties [CSNNE.com]

Sox not interested in Pudge Rodriguez [CSNNE.com]

It was Giveaway Night for the Sox [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Orioles 5, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Flipped bat: Filed for future reference? [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia on Lee’s popup: ‘Has to be caught’ [ESPN Boston]

Bard’s tale: Bad location, crossed-up catcher [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Orioles 5, Red Sox 4 [Full Count]

Beckett on Scott: ‘Things have a way of evening out’ [Full Count]

Josh Beckett Declines to Discuss ‘Bat Flips and Talking to Umpires’ After Rough Outing in Baltimore [NESN.com]

O’s have the answer, late rally is for naught [Providence Journal]

Pedroia’s fielding lightens load for Sox pitchers [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lowrie’s emergence is limiting Scutaro [Providence Journal]

Youkilis confident in Boston’s offense [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 Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.