On Friday night, it was an error by Felix Doubront (actually two) that helped the Texas Rangers to a win. On Saturday night, it was a pitching error by Alexi Ogando that spurred the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 win in 11 innings.

It started out as a pitching duel between John Lackey and Cliff Lee with the Red Sox getting an early run in the 1st inning. The Rangers got to Lackey for two runs in the 6th and it stayed that way until the bottom of the 9th when the Red Sox rallied to tie it up.

The 9th started with a Marco Scutaro single and then a sacrifice bunt by Darnell McDonald that advanced Scutaro to second. A David Ortiz ground out moved Scu Scu Scutaro over to third and he came home on a rope down the third base line by Kevin Youkilis.

The Red Sox did have a chance to win the game in the 10th but Nelson Cruz took away a home run from Mike Cameron.

The fateful 11th started much like the 9th inning did.

Scutaro led off with a single and went to second on a McDonald sacrifice bunt. The only difference this time was the fact that Ogando tried to get Scutaro at second only to him with the throw and it carommed into left field allowing Scutaro to get to third and McDonald to second. Ogando intentionally walked Big Papi and gave way to Darren O’Day.

O’Day fell behind Youk and on a 2-1 count, he drove a fastball to center field that brought in Scutaro with the winning run that gave the Red Sox a hard fought and much needed win.

As I stated yesterday morning, the bullpen needed to step up its game for the Red Sox. The situation presented itself perfectly on Saturday night as Daniel Bard worked the 8th allowing just a walk but erased the runner on a double play. And then Jonathan Papelbon worked two perfect innings before giving way to Manny Delcarmen, who was activated earlier in the day.

Delcarmen was the old MDC as he was perfect in his inning setting the stage for Youk’s heroics.

The Red Sox made another move on Saturday as they optioned Felix Doubront back to Triple-A Pawtucket. They brought up another catcher in Dusty Brown, who’ll catch Jon Lester on Sunday, and that gives the Red Sox three catchers on their roster. While some may question it, it does give Terry Francona a little flexibility with what to do if he needs to pinch-hit for his catcher.

With Clay Buchholz making his next start with the Red Sox on the west coast swing, they essentially had an extra roster spot and obviously Francona felt it was better served by having the third catcher.

And finally, Josh Beckett made his second rehab start for the PawSox on Saturday night. He ended up going 4+ innings, allowing three runs on five hits. But the most important thing is that he felt fine afterwards. He’ll head back to Boston  where he’ll be evaluated and find out if he’ll have one more rehab start or rejoin the Red Sox rotation.

We’ll be back in a short while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

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

Youkilis delivers for Sox [Boston Globe]

Lowell prepared to put ailing hip to the test [Boston Globe]

Beckett aims for consistency [Boston Globe]

Lackey gets the job done [Boston Globe]

Things picked up along the way [Boston Globe]

Revolving door [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez likely is gonzo, it’s now a matter of when [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 3, Rangers 2 [Boston Herald]

Timely rehab on tap for Mike Lowell [Boston Herald]

Mike Lowell waits for any sign [Boston Herald]

John Lackey opens second half in impressive style [Boston Herald]

Thrown into fire, Manny Delcarmen responds [Boston Herald]

Throwing risers [Boston Herald]

Sox walk off with 3-2 win [CSN New England]

A few dis’n’dats on the game [ESPN Boston]

Uplifting victory for the Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox 3, Rangers 2 (11 innings) [Full Count]

Offensive hero Youkilis not concerned with who’s on mound [Full Count]

Season Defining Win? [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

John Lackey ‘Tremendous’ for Red Sox In Comeback Extra-Inning Win [NESN.com]

Will Jon Lester Win the AL Cy Young Award With Strong Second Half? [NESN.com]

Youkilis’ bat helps Boston rally past Texas [Providence Journal]

Lackey at his best against old rivals [Providence Journal]

Buchholz to make his return on Wednesday [Providence Journal]

Bowden making a case for Boston to give him a call [Providence Journal]

Where have all the pink hats gone this year? [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lowell to start rehab assignment next week [Providence Journal]

Lowell to begin rehab stint Thursday [RedSox.com]

Catcher Brown joins active roster [RedSox.com]

Sox announce fan-friendly initiatives [RedSox.com]

Buchholz starts Wednesday; Delcarmen back [RedSox.com]

Beckett pitches four innings in rehab outing [RedSox.com]

Youk ties it in ninth, wins it in 11th on sac fly [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram websites.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Two throwing errors by Boston Red Sox starter Felix Doubront may have been all that stood between a victory over the Texas Rangers last night. And it was the second throwing error that was crucial to the outcome of the game.

Michael Young had led off the fifth with a single and after an Ian Kinsler pop out, Young went to second on a wild pitch from Doubront. Vlad Guerrero followed with a rope down the third base line that Adrian Beltre stopped but that’s all he could do. Doubront then got Josh  Hamilton to line back to him but as he tried to double off Young at second, he stumbled and his throw went into the outfield allowing both runners to advance a base.

Had Doubront made the throw, the game may have turned out different but he didn’t and everything else came unraveled.

Fernando Cabrera came in and allowed back-to-back walks with the second one to Daniel Murphy forcing in a run to tie the game at 3-3. Cabrera then hung a breaking ball to Bengie Molina who put it over the wall for a grand slam.

While the grand slam by Molina might have been the worst part of the night, you could equally rank the fact that Molina ended up hitting for the cycle in the game right up there. Molina came up in the 8th needing the triple for the cycle and hit a fly ball to the deepest part of Fenway that went off the glove of center fielder Eric Patterson. Molina, who may be the slowest runner in all of Major League Baseball, lumbered into third with a standup triple. Of course a few minutes later, he left the game with a tight quad from all that running.

Cabrera by the way was designated for assignment after the game to make room for Manny Delcarmen who’ll be activated before the game tonight. Skipper Terry Francona also said that there might be a few other roster moves as the Red Sox try to shake things up a little.

It’s quite obvious the Red Sox need bullpen help and while Delcarmen will help a little,  they need everyone to be consistent. And they aren’t getting that from everyone except for Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon. It will also help to get Clay Buchholz and Josh Beckett back. They might be able to eat up a few more innings to help eliminate the need for the bullpen or not as much of it during their starts.

Buchholz by the way pitched well last night in his rehab start and Beckett will be making the start for Pawtucket tonight. Let’s hope he comes through with flying colors as well as the Red Sox surely need him.

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

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

And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram websites.

Photo credit: 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 and by making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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

UConn Football links

Former Trojan Shoemate’s transfer to UConn official [SOX & Dawgs]

UConn Football Adds Another For 2011 Class [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

USC transfer Shoemate came to play [CT Post]

USC transfer Shoemate officially a Husky [Hartford Courant]

Other “Shoe” could be dropping on Todman [Journal Inquirer]

Shoemate set to join Huskies [New Haven Register]

USC tailback Shoemate transfers to UConn [The Day]

UConn welcomes transfer back from USC [The Republican-American]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stewart, Williams lead U-17 to win [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Recruits Fare Well In U-17 Opener [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Thoughts on the UConn factor [Mechelle Voepel]

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m. Fenway Park – Boston, MA SP: Colby Lewis vs Felix Doubront TV: NESN, MLB.tv Radio: Red Sox Radio Network

Evening Red Sox Delight – 7/16 [SOX & Dawgs]

The Boston Red Sox will look to rebound from last night’s loss with a win in game two of a four-game set against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.

Tonight’s game will start at 7:10 p.m. and will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market. The game will be broadcast on TXA 21 in the Rangers television market. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Rays or Yankees television markets, you can catch the game on the MLB Network. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2010 Red Sox radio network.

Felix Doubront will make his third spot start of 2010 for the Red Sox. In his previous two starts, he is 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA. He’s never faced the Rangers in his career.

Back in the US for the 2010 season, Colby Lewis is making his 18th start of the season. In his previous 17 starts, he is 8-5 with a 3.33 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox this season and picked up a no decision after allowing three runs in five innings back on April 20th. Overall in his career, he’s made six appearances (two starts) against the Red Sox and has no record with a 3.14 ERA. Two of those appearances (one start) have come at Fenway Park where he has a 4.50 ERA (6 IP/3 ER).

Keep reading for lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and pregame links.

51-38		51-38
1. Elvis Andrus	SS	1. Marco Scutaro	SS
2. Michael Young	3B	2. Eric Patterson	CF
3. Ian Kinsler	2B	3. David Ortiz	DH
4. Vladimir Guerrero	3B	4. Kevin Youkilis	1B
5. Josh Hamilton	CF	5. J.D. Drew	RF
6. Nelson Cruz	RF	6. Adrian Beltre	3B
7. Daniel Murphy	LF	7. Daniel Nava	LF
8. Benjie Molina	C	8. Bill Hall	2B
9. Chris Davis	1B	9. Kevin Cash	C
Colby Lewis	SP	Felix Doubront	SP

Here’s the hitters have fared against this evening’s starting pitchers in their careers:

Robert Manuel was sent back to Pawtucket. Fernando Cabrera has taken his spot on the 25-man roster. Cabrera is likely to be only here for the night as Manny Delcarmen will be activated from the disabled list on Saturday.

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

Pedroia: Two more weeks in a boot [Clubhouse Insider]

Pedroia healing faster than Varitek, now off crutches [CSN New England]

Boston Red Sox draft pick Anthony Ranaudo throwing well despite spring injury [ESPN Insider]

Some random thoughts . . . [Extra Bases]

Those rehabs can get a little pricey [Extra Bases]

Pedroia off crutches; no timetable for return [Extra Bases]

Red Sox injury updates [Extra Bases]

Pedroia (almost) up and running [Full Count]

Gammons on The Big Show: Sox in ‘very dangerous stretch’ [Full Count]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Grabs First Win Since June 7, Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]

Tim Wakefield Struggling to Find Last Season’s All-Star Form [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia Injury Requires Two More Weeks in a Boot, Jason Varitek Still on Crutches [NESN.com]

Manny Delcarmen to Be Activated on Saturday, Jeremy Hermida Nearing His Return [NESN.com]

Boxscore Breakdown – Sox Still On Break? [Nuggetpalooza]

“Ego-less” Ranaudo still unblemished on Cape [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox to open children’s play area at Fenway [Projo Sox Blog]

Cabrera up, Manuel down, Delcarmen to be activated Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]

Pedroia putting weight on foot, still out at least two weeks [Projo Sox Blog]

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

Here’s the press release from the UConn Huskies football program concerning the transfer of tailback D.J. Shoemate from USC to UConn. I’ve also included links from what head ball coach Randy Edsall had to say on his conference call this morning after the release.

STORRS, Conn. – D.J. Shoemate, a 6-0, 225-pound, tailback from Corona, Calif., will enroll at the University of Connecticut and play for the Husky football team this fall. Shoemate transfers to Connecticut after spending his first two years at the University of Southern California. Shoemate will be eligible to play at UConn immediately and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Shoemate served as a backup fullback for the Trojans and played on special teams as a sophomore in 2009. He played in 12 games for USC and had a pair of carries for two yards and two receptions for 23 yards, including a 13-yard TD.

Shoemate began 2008 as a wide receiver, and then was moved mid-season to fullback. He also played on special teams and played in a total of nine games.

He enjoyed a tremendous career at Servite High School in Anaheim where he was teammates with current Husky quarterback Johnny McEntee.

Shoemate earned ESPN 150 honors as a senior and was named Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Los Angeles Times All-Star, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and was the Trinity League Co-Offensive MVP.

In his senior year, he ran for 1,291 yards on 241 carries with 24 TDs. Shoemate also caught 40 passes for 570 yards with 4 TDs.

As a sophomore in 2005, he made the All-CIF Division I first team, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and was the All-Serra League Co-MVP while rushing for 604 yards on 71 carries with 13 touchdowns, catching 46 passes for 930 yards with eight TDs and getting four scores on blocked punts.

Edsall discusses Shoemate [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

UConn Coach Randy Edsall Talks About Transfer Shoemate [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Shoemate To Edsall: “All I Want To Do Is Win” [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Shoemate officially in the fold [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Edsall on Shoemate [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Photo credit: AP Photos

It wasn’t a good start to the unofficial start to the second half of the 2010 season for the Boston Red Sox. They had come into last night’s game having won just two of their last seven games and were facing off against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

Any chance of a Red Sox win was pretty much tucked in and put to bed in the first inning when the Rangers erupted for six runs off of Tim Wakefield. The Rangers had a plan of attacking Wake’s knuckleball early and they did. Wake did settle down for a five pitch second inning but he was chased in the third after a single, an error and a double made it 7-0.

Robert Manuel came in and did yeoman’s work as he allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one. Dustin Richardson followed up with a 1/3 of an inning and issued three walks. Scott Atchison, who really has come in to his own since returning the Red Sox,  gave the Red Sox three strong innings, allowing just a hit with a strikeout.

Offensively the Red Sox really couldn’t muster much against Tommy Hunter, who had been rocked in his only Fenway appearance back in 2008. He managed to shutdown the Red Sox as he only gave up five hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings. The only runs the Red Sox would score last night came on solo home runs from J.D. Drew and Bill Hall.

They were without Adrian Beltre who had an MRI before the game that showed just a strain of his hamstring. Given the way he’s played offensively, the Red Sox can’t really afford to be without him. The good news is that he could be back in the lineup tonight.

On the injury front, Manny Delcarmen pitched a scoreless inning for the Portland Sea Dogs and it looks like he’ll be activated before Saturday’s game. MDC was joined in New Britain, CT by his teammate Jeremy Hermida who went 2-for-4 while serving as the DH for the Sea Dogs. Hermida will play in left tonight and then DH again on Saturday before heading to Boston to be examined.

It’s a big day for Clay Buchholz as he’ll make a rehab start for the Pawtucket Red Sox in Syracuse. It’s also a big day for Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek as they’ll be examined to see how their broken feet are progressing.

Definitely not the way the Red Sox wanted to start the second half but it’s just one game. Hopefully the young lefty Felix Doubront can help them get back on the winning side of things tonight.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links from the day but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

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

No vacation [Boston Globe]

Injury not serious, but Beltre sits out [Boston Globe]

Hall got second chance at third [Boston Globe]

Bowden will get chance to pitch in [Boston Globe]

They have their work cut out now [Boston Globe]

Recap: Rangers 7, Red Sox 2 [Boston Herald]

Losing numbers game [Boston Herald]

Adrian Beltre still upset by Joe Girardi All-Star flub [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett on way back [Boston Herald]

Cliff Lee settles in with Rangers [Boston Herald]

Tim Wakefield puts it in past [Boston Herald]

Thumb’s up for V-Mart [Clubhouse Insider]

Wakefield and Sox spanked by Texas, 7-2 [CSN New England]

Beltre still mystified by Girardi’s actions [CSN New England]

Bill Lee on Steinbrenner’s death: ‘Good’ [CSN New England]

Red Sox observe moment of silence for Yankee greats [ESPN Boston]

Martinez’s fractured thumb healing fine [ESPN Boston]

Wakefield struggles in short outing [ESPN Boston]

Amalie Benjamin’s analysis of Red Sox’ loss to Rangers [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Rangers 7, Red Sox 2 [Full Count]

Scan shows Martinez still progressing [Full Count]

Rangers still may be interested in Lowell [Full Count]

Bill Lee on Steinbrenner’s death: ‘Good’ [Full Count]

Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry Reached Epic Proportions During The Boss’ Tenure [NESN.com]

Frustrating First Inning Sets Harrowing Tone for Red Sox in Series Opener Against Texas [NESN.com]

Which Pitcher Will Be Most Important to Red Sox’ Run to Playoffs? [NESN.com]

Wakefield shelled in first, Sox can’t recover [Providence Journal]

Bill Hall: So versatile, and so important to this Red Sox team [Providence Journal]

Scan on Victor Martinez’s thumb shows no further damage [Providence Journal]

Lee’s trade to Rangers a blessing for Sox [Providence Journal]

Hermida could be activated next weekend [Providence Journal]

Adrian Beltre and Michael Young’s strange All-Star mixup [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Beckett almost ready to rejoin team [Providence Journal]

Beltre feels better, but not in lineup [RedSox.com]

Beckett could return after next rehab start [RedSox.com]

Epstein: Sox will be active in trade talks [RedSox.com]

Wakefield’s early struggles sink Sox [RedSox.com]

How Adrian Beltre got so tough [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram 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 and by 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

Team USA playing like UConn [The Republican-American]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Saunders returns to Waterbury roots [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

Shabazz Napier Learning From Kemba Walker [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Tyler Olander In A New World At UConn [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Jamaal Trice: Back To L.A. [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Ater Majok In Good Frame Of Mind For 2010-11 [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Doug Wiggins To Mountain State University [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Greater Hartford Pro-Am Offers Unique Atmosphere For Basketball [Hartford Courant]

Majok talks UConn [New Britain Herald]

Huskies’ Oriakhi looks to fix last season’s mistakes [New Haven Register]

Former UConn player Saunders added to Post staff [New Haven Register]

Saunders coming home to help coach Post [The Republican-American]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey: Gonzalez Named to 2010 Senior National Team [UConnHuskies.com]

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m. Fenway Park – Boston, MA SP: Tommy Hunter vs Tim Wakefield TV: NESN, MLB.tv Radio: Red Sox Radio Network

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 7/15 [SOX & Dawgs]

After having the last three days off for the All-Star break, the Boston Red Sox return to action tonight as they’ll host the Texas Rangers in the first game of four at Fenway Park

Tonight’s game will start at 7:10 p.m. and will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest in the Rangers television market. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Dodgers or Cardinals television markets, you can catch the game on the MLB Network. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2010 Red Sox radio network.

Tim Wakefield gets the ball from Terry Francona to kickoff the unofficial start to the second half of the season. Wake has made 18 appearances (14 starts) in 2010 and is 3-6 with a 5.22 ERA. He’s made one start against the Rangers this season back on 4/20 where he took a no decision after allowing six runs in six innings. Overall in his career, he’s made 34 appearances (27 starts) against the Rangers and is 10-15 with four saves and a 6.09 ERA.

Tommy Hunter will make his just his seventh start of the 2010 season tonight. In his previous six starts, he is 5-0 with a 2.34 ERA. He’s made two career appearances against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with an 11.74 ERA. He’s made just one start at Fenway where he took the loss after allowing nine runs in 1 2/3 innings back in 2008.

Keep reading for lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and pregame links.

50-38		51-37
1. Elvis Andrus	SS	1. Marco Scutaro	SS
2. Michael Young	3B	2. Eric Patterson	2B
3. Ian Kinsler	2B	3. David Ortiz	DH
4. Vladimir Guerrero	3B	4. Kevin Youkilis	1B
5. Josh Hamilton	LF	5. J.D. Drew	RF
6. Nelson Cruz	RF	6. Daniel Nava	LF
7. Benjie Molina	C	7. Mike Cameron	CF
8. Chris Davis	1B	8. Bill Hall	3B
9. Julio Borbon	CF	9. Kevin Cash	C
Tommy Hunter	SP	Tim Wakefield	SP

Here’s the hitters have fared against this evening’s starting pitchers in their careers:

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

Beltre out [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame Red Sox notes: Beltre on the sidelines [CSN New England]

Pregame quick hits [ESPN Boston]

Duquette thinks more to come on Clemens steroid use [Extra Bases]

Big Papi pushing the products [Extra Bases]

Duquette: Expect more Clemens steroid evidence [Full Count]

Beckett to get 85 pitches to prove he’s ready [Full Count]

Beltre MRI turns out ‘pretty good’ [Full Count]

Red Sox Welcome New-Look Rangers to Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Annual ‘Sox for Socks’ Drive to Help Boston’s Homeless at Fenway Park Taking Place This Weekend [NESN.com]

Red Sox Must Limit Rangers on Basepaths, Get to Cliff Lee Early to Win Series [NESN.com]

Red Sox Farmhand Casey Kelly Ranks 21st Among Top 25 Prospects in Baseball [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett Will Pitch Second Rehab Start in Pawtucket Saturday [NESN.com]

Boston Sports Clubs and Red Sox Conditioning Staff Team Up to Teach Strength Training [NESN.com]

Yankees, Rays Highlight Top 10 Most Important Second-Half Series for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox won’t rush Bowden to bigs [Projo Sox Blog]

PawSox loading back up [Projo Sox Blog]

Building up pitch count all that’s left for Beckett [Projo Sox Blog]

Hermida could rejoin Red Sox next weekend [Projo Sox Blog]

Photo credit: AP Photos, Getty Images