Before we get to the 12-2 shellacking the Boston Red Sox put on the Philadelphia Phillies last night at Fenway Park, let’s play a little catch up on the news I missed while I was out for the day and evening taking care of some personal business.

Back on June 4th when third baseman Adrian Beltre collided with his second left fielder of the season in Jeremy Hermida, it looked as though Beltre may have taken the worst of it. Beltre ended up staying in the game while Hermida was eventually forced to leave. Hermida missed a few games then returned only to miss more time.

Now it turns out the Red Sox will be without Hermida for the foreseeable future as on Friday it was learned that Hermida has fractured ribs just like Jacoby Ellsbury. At this point, if you’re playing left field for the Red Sox you might want to wear a flak jacket or full body padding. Or if you’re running for a ball anywhere near Beltre, just let him try and get it.

The other news of the day was the return of Jonathan Papelbon from the bereavement list. The victim on the roster was Joe Nelson who’s struggled since being called up by the Red Sox.

The loss on Thursday night hurt but the Red Sox quickly put it behind them on Friday night. They roughed up the ageless wonder Jaime Moyer for five runs on five hits in the first inning and four runs on five hits in the second inning. Six of those hits were doubles while another was a home run off the bat of Mike Lowell.

Ever since speaking his mind in New York about his lack of playing time or a role on the Red Sox for that matter, Lowell’s stayed quiet while remaining on the bench. He hadn’t been seen in a week before taking over for Kevin Youkilis on Thursday night and was in the starting lineup for Youk on Friday night. Lowell’s two-run homer in the 1st was his only hit of the night but he also worked two walks.

David Ortiz spent most of the seven-game road trip scuffling at the plate but the friendly confines of Fenway Park were all he needed to see. Big Papi had three hits, including two doubles, and knocked in four runs.

Lost in the shuffle of the nine-run explosion in the first two innings by the Red Sox was the start of John Lackey, who had been up-and-down all season long in his starts. But last night was a different story.

He pounded the strike zone as he good command of his fastball and had probably his breaking ball of the season. Of course it helps when he’s spotted the nine-run lead which allowed him to attack the strike zone.

After the rough loss on Thursday night to close out the road trip, it was nice to see the Red Sox respond against the Phillies, who’ve been struggling as of late. The last time these two teams met, the Phillies were in first place in the NL East. They now find themselves in third place 2½ games behind the Atlanta Braves.

And speaking of standings, the Red Sox picked up a game on the first place Tampa Bay Rays and are now four games out of first. They do trail the New York Yankees by three games for second place.

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

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Last hurrah for Lowell as a Red Sox? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Lackey in command [Boston Globe]

League of their own [Boston Globe]

Gill defends team’s care for Ellsbury [Boston Globe]

Lowell showcases his value [Boston Globe]

Now Hermida forced on DL [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 12, Phillies 2 [Boston Herald]

Jacoby Ellsbury may return by All-Star break [Boston Herald]

Red Sox swing shift [Boston Herald]

Jeremy Hermida joins Jacoby Ellsbury on DL [Boston Herald]

Phil in Mike Lowell’s corner [Boston Herald]

Red Sox roll over Phillies, 12-2 [CSN New England]

Quick hits: Sox 12, Phillies 2 [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox 12, Phillies 2 [Full Count]

Red Sox craft themselves a good win [Full Count]

Just What Doc Ordered [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

Red Sox Looking for Answers to Outfield Injury Problems [NESN.com]

Red Sox Unload Early on Jamie Moyer, Cruise to Win [NESN.com]

John Lackey’s Stellar Performance Lost in Shuffle of Friday Night Fireworks [NESN.com]

Should Red Sox Look to Trade for Another Outfielder? [NESN.com]

Former Red Sox Pitcher Jerry Stephenson Leaves Lasting Impact on Organization [NESN.com]

Sox batters drub Moyer [Providence Journal]

Sox bullpen springing leaks everywhere [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Doctor says Ellsbury could be out till break [Providence Journal]

Hermida placed on DL with fractured ribs [RedSox.com]

Papelbon returns to Boston’s bullpen [RedSox.com]

Pedroia’s knee checks out; Youk rests back [RedSox.com]

Gill defends treatment of Ellsbury’s injury [RedSox.com]

Easy night for Lackey as Red Sox go wild [RedSox.com]

Beckett not the only person battling back [RedSox.com]

Lamenting the plight of Mike Lowell [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

For more slices of 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 Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer websites.

According to Mike Andrews of SoxProspects.com, the Boston Red Sox will call up outfielder Daniel Nava from Triple-A Pawtucket. He will take the place of outfielder Josh Reddick who will be optioned back to Pawtucket.

In 54 games for the PawSox this season, Nava is hitting .294 with eight home runs, 38 RBIs and three stolen bases. He has an OBP of .364 and slugging percentage of .492.

Nava wasn’t drafted out of Santa Clara University and eventually signed with the Chico Outlaws of the independent Golden League. The Red Sox signed him as a minor league free agent in the fall of 2007.

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UConn Football links

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

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Dolson, Hartley are U-18 finalists [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Renee steps up [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Two UConn Recruits Finalists For U.S. Under-18 Team [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Lobo’s Case At The Hall Takes Shape [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Hartley, Dolson Headline U-18 Finalists; Numerous Recruits Make Teams Too [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Dailey Has Eyes On Her Own Hall Of Fame [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Lobo fits perfectly in women’s hall [Journal Inquirer]

Lobo to be inducted into Hall of Fame tonight [The Day]

Lobo: I’m just 1st of many Huskies heading to Hall [MSNBC.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Kevin Ollie’s Road Back To UConn [Hartford Courant]

Philadelphia Phillies @ Boston Red Sox 7:05 p.m. Fenway Park – Boston, MA SP: Jaime Moyer vs John Lackey TV: NESN, MLB Network, MLB.tv Radio: Red Sox Radio Network

Frustration. Frustration. Frustration.

Normally I would have more to say about last night’s disappointing loss by the Boston Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians but some personal errands will take me away from the site for the day. I do apologize for the inconvenience.

Before we go though, don’t forget to show Kevin Youkilis some love in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game voting.

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

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

And if you must read the enemy papers, check out the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal websites.

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UConn Football links

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

The Big East’s best: No. 18 Scott Lutrus [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

Kramer: Big East in trouble [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Wooden’s Thoughts on ‘Beautiful Game’ an Inspiration to Women’s Hoop Coaches [Fanhouse]

Lobo to find Fame in Tennessee [New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Calhoun in Bristol [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Jim Calhoun Speaks At Shepard Meadows Fundraiser [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun And The Media [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun On UConn’s Five Freshmen [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Calhoun Says He’s Excited For Five Incoming Freshmen, Does Not Address Program’s Problems [Hartford Courant]

Boston Red Sox @ Cleveland Indians 7:05 p.m Progressive Field SP: Jon Lester vs Mitch Talbot TV: NESN, MLB.tv Radio: Red Sox Radio Network

Evening Red Sox Delight – 6/10 [SOX & Dawgs]

The Boston Red Sox were shut out by their former pitcher Justin Masterson and the Cleveland Indians last night. Tonight, they’ll look to return the favor in the series finale at Progressive Field.

Tonight’s game will start at 7:05 p.m. and will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market. The game will be shown on STO (SportsTime Ohio) in the Indians television market. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2010 Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester looks to continue the good roll he’s been on as of late. In 12 starts this season, Lester is 7-2 with a 2.73 ERA. He’s made six career starts against the Indians and is 3-0 with a 3.89 ERA. Three of those starts have come in Cleveland where he is 1-0 with a 6.06 ERA.

Mitch Talbot has made 11 starts for the Indians this season. He was acquired by the Tribe when they traded former Red Sox prospect Kelly Shoppach to the Rays. In his 11 previous starts, he is 7-4 with a 3.54 ERA. Talbot has faced the Red Sox just once in his career and that came out of the bullpen. In that outing which consisted of three innings, he allowed four runs on five hits and and three walks. One of those hits was a home run by Kevin Youkilis.

Lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, and links after the jump.

35-26		22-36
1. Marco Scutaro	SS	1. Trevor Crowe	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
3. David Ortiz	DH	3. Austin Kearns	LF
4. Kevin Youkilis	1B	4. Travis Hafner	DH
5. Victor Martinez	C	5. Shelley Duncan	1B
6. J.D. Drew	RF	6. Andy Marte	3B
7. Adrian Beltre	3B	7. Anderson Hernandez	SS
8. Mike Cameron	CF	8. Lou Marson	C
9. Bill Hall	LF	9. Jason Donald	2B
Jon Lester	SP	Mitch Talbot	SP

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

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Strasburg bumps Red Sox from TBS on Sunday [SOX & Dawgs]

Next stop for Ellsbury: Arizona [Clubhouse Insider]

Doctors: New rib injury for Ellsbury [Clubhouse Insider]

Ellsbury diagnosed with new rib fracture [CSN New England]

Ellsbury heads to Arizona for rest, rehab [ESPN Boston]

Another delay – and a long one – for Ellsbury [Extra Bases]

Statement from the Red Sox on Ellsbury: second rib fracture was discovered [Extra Bases]

Remy on D&C: Pedroia will ‘turn it around’ [Full Count]

Five Sox prospects named to Carolina League All-Star game [Full Count]

Doctors: Ellsbury has rib fracture from dive [Full Count]

MRI Reveals Jacoby Ellsbury Has New Rib Fracture [NESN.com]

Red Sox Manager Terry Francona Talks Jacoby Ellsbury’s Latest Injury News [NESN.com]

Ellsbury diagnosed with different fracture [RedSox.com]

In the overnight links this morning, I linked over to a few posts that said injured Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury would need a little more rest. A little while ago, Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted that Ellsbury would be need at least two more weeks of rest but the examination revealed a “bigger issue”.

2nd opinion on ellsbury ribcage injury reveals bigger issue. he needs at least 2 more weeks rest.

What this bigger issue is anybody’s guess right now as the Red Sox have not said anything else publicly about the injury. But that’s due to the fact that Red Sox skipper Terry Francona hadn’t talked with Dr. Yocum or Dr. Gill until after the game last night. So my best guess is that he’ll address during this afternoon’s media briefing before the finale with the Cleveland Indians.

Ellsbury originally injured his ribs on April 11th when he collided with third baseman Adrian Beltre. The Red Sox didn’t think the injury was that serious and they didn’t place on the DL until April 20th with move being retroactive to the 12th.

Ellsbury came off the DL on May 22nd and played in three games before experiencing soreness again. He was then placed back on the DL on May 28th would the move retroactive to the 25th.

Since then he’s been resting and getting treatment and now we know he’ll be doing that for at least the next two weeks.

If there’s any update as to what the bigger issue is, I’ll be sure to update it here as soon as possible.

Update: It turns out that Ellsbury suffered another rib injury when diving for a ball on May 23rd against the Phillies.

“An MRI of Jacoby’s thoracic spine and posterior rib area, recommended by us jointly, revealed a non-displaced rib fracture and edema in the left posterior-axillary line. This fracture, which is in a different area than the initial fractures and which was not present on previous scans, is likely the result of a new injury which occurred when Jacoby dove and impacted the ground during his brief return to play. Jacoby will require several weeks of rest and physical therapy.”

Ellsbury is heading to API in Arizona for the next two weeks to rest and rehab his injury.

Washington Nationals stud Stephen Strasburg’s first start in MLB on Tuesday night was so hyped up that it sold out in a mere two hours once it was announced he’d be on the mound. It was also picked up by the MLB Network.

He didn’t disappoint as he struck out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates over seven innings to pick up his first win. And when it was announced that he’ll start on Sunday against the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland, the Indians ticket office phone lines lit up with people wanting tickets. With still four days to go, Strasburg could be pitching in front of a packed house at Progressive Field.

And wouldn’t you guess it, the folks at Turner Sports have taken notice as they’ve decided to bump the Philadelphia Phillies vs Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Sunday from TBS. Instead, they’ll be airing Strasburg’s second MLB start against the Indians.

Normally a game between the Phillies and Red Sox would be a ratings grabber for TBS because of the national profile of the two teams. Sure it’s going to piss off a few Red Sox fans who don’t live in either the Red Sox or Phillies television markets.

But you can fault TBS for jumping on the Strasburg train because they’ll probably get much better ratings with him on the mound. After all, MASN got a 7.1 share of his first start in the D.C. television market alone.

TBS Switches Games on Sunday To Show Stephen Strasburg [Fang’s Bites]

Strasburg debut smashes MASN ratings record [D.C. Sports Bog]