Here’s a look at some of the happenings from the 2014 UConn Huskies Football spring game held at Rentschler Field on Saturday, April 12, 2014.
photo credits: ian bethune – sox & dawgs
Category Archives: Articles
Saturday Red Sox Delight – 4/12
After splitting the first two games, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees do battle this afternoon in game three of a four-game set at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees market, you can catch the game on YES. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the Fox Sports 1 will have coverage of the game. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
John Lackey makes his third start of 2014 this afternoon. In his previous two starts, Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13 IP). He made four starts against the Yankees in 2013 and was 2-1 with a 5.76 ERA. In 27 career starts against them, he is 10-10 with a 4.84 ERA. 11 of those starts have come in the Bronx where he is 4-4 with a 4.71 ERA.
Hiroki Kuroda also hits the hill for the third time in 2014. In his previous two starts, Kuroda is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA (4 ER/12.1 IP). In six starts against the Red Sox in 2013, he went 1-4 with a 4.88 ERA. He’s made 12 career starts against the visiting nine and is 3-5 with a 4.05 ERA. 11 of those starts have come with the Yankees where he is 3-4 with a 4.21 ERA. And six of those starts have come at Yankee Stadium where he is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA.
 5-6 |
 5-6 |
||
| 1. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 1. Brett Gardner | LF |
| 2. Daniel Nava | RF | 2. Brian Roberts | 2B |
| 3. David Ortiz | DH | 3. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 4. Mike Napoli | 1B | 4. Carlos Beltran | DH |
| 5. Mike Carp | LF | 5. Brian McCann | C |
| 6. Xander Bogaerts | SS | 6. Alfonso Soriano | RF |
| 7. A.J. Pierzynski | C | 7. Kelly Johnson | 1B |
| 8. Ryan Roberts | 3B | 8. Yangervis Solarte | 3B |
| 9. Jackie Bradley, Jr | CF | 9. Dean Anna | SS |
| John Lackey | SP | Hiroki Kuroda | SP |
NOTES:
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.
More links will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Tarred and Feathered [sox & dawgs]
Koji Uehara’s stiff shoulder offers uncomfortable reminder for Red Sox [rob bradford – weei.com]
No DL move yet, but Red Sox ‘will take every precaution’ with Koji Uehara [clubhouse insider]
Uehara unavailable as Sox ‘gather information’ [csn new england]
Red Sox Notes: Pedroia in the leadoff spot [csn new england]
Off-days for Jeter a delicate balance for Girardi [providence journal]
Red Sox proceeding cautiously with Koji Uehara [providence journal]
Red Sox have turned tables on rival Yankees [red sox]
Sox, Yankees still looking to hit offensive stride [red sox]
The Adventures of Ellsbury ‘n’ Elf: You Want It, You Take It, You Pay the Price [surviving grady]
photo credits: getty images, getty images
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 4/12
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 the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis.
Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.
It’s game day for the UConn Huskies football team as they’ll play their annual Blue/White Spring game. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. So pack up a lunch and enjoy the weather and some football.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
UConn Football links
UConn Football Spring Game Saturday at 3 PM [sox & dawgs]
Spring spotlight: UConn’s O-Line [john silver – sny uconn]
Diaco, Players Ready For UConn’s Annual Blue-White Game [hartford courant]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
AAC’s Aresco: Our league has to get better [carl adamec – sny uconn]
UConn Alone on top of Basketball World – Again [hartford courant]
North Babylon’s Bria Hartley ready for next big step: the WNBA draft [newsday]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Kevin Duffy’s top 10 UConn men’s players [ct post]
Capitol Steps: Courant Columnist To Make Good On Boast After UConn Men Win It All [hartford courant]
UConn Alone on top of Basketball World – Again [hartford courant]
Forget Duke; UConn is the school bringing the pain for UK fans [lexington herald-leader]
Ollie Will Huddle With Daniels, Boatright on Future Plans; Coach Recruiting in Jersey Off NCAA Championship [zags blog]
Other UConn related links
Softball. UConn Visits Louisville For Three-Game Conference Set [uconn huskies]
W. Lacrosse. Huskies Edged By Georgetown At Home, 11-10 [uconn huskies]
M. Track. Huskies Conclude Bulldog Decathlon; Field Athletes Open Specs Town Invite [uconn huskies]
Baseball. UConn Drops Series Opener At Cincinnati, 3-1 [uconn huskies]
W. Track. Day One In The Books For Women’s Track & Field At Sea Ray Relays [uconn huskies]
UConn Football Spring Game Saturday at 3 PM
With the weather set to be sunny and around 70° on Saturday afternoon, why not get your stuff done early, pack up the cooler and tailgate equipment and head over to Rentschler Field to catch the UConn Huskies football team play their spring game.
It’ll be your first chance to see new head coach Bob Diaco and the new look Huskies. When I say new look, I mean you might not recognize some of the guys on the team because they’ve are a little sleeker after off-season conditioning.
Here’s more on the game from UConn:
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — The 2014 spring football season reaches its conclusion on Saturday afternoon with the annual Blue-White Spring Game. The UConn offense in blue will battle the UConn defense in white at Rentschler Field at 3 p.m. Admission and parking are both free for the game.
Scoring will favor both sides. In addition to normal scoring on touchdowns, field goals and PATs, the offense can also score a point with a run of 11 or more yards and a pass of 20 or more yards. The defense can score in a variety of ways. An interception or fumble is worth six points, while a sack, tackle for loss or pass breakup are all worth one point. A stop inside the 40 yard line will garner three points for the defense, and one point will be awarded for a forced field goal or a three and out. If the defense returns an interception for a touchdown, it receives seven points.
The first half will feature a standard game clock, while the second half is running clock. All punts will be a fair catch, and the ball will be spotted at the 35-yard line on all possession changes. All other basic game mechanics, including timeouts and time between quarters, will be the same as a normal, regular season game.
The Spring Game will also feature the return of Fan Fest, located behind the scoreboard at Rentschler. Fan Fest for the game begins at 1 p.m. and will run until halftime. Included in the event will be an autograph session with the 2014 National Champion women’s basketball team, occurring from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and featuring pictures with the team and trophy. Also at Fan Fest will be a bounce house for kids, Dunkin Donuts’ “Ice Cream Truck”, and prizes and giveaways from 93.7 FM and 96.5 FM trucks. The UConn Chevy Sonic will also make an appearances, and UConn ticketing information and Spring Game programs will be available.
Following the game, UConn student-athletes will be available on the field for an autograph session.
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 4/11
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 the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis.
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 Football links
Diaco makes debut at UConn spring game [ct post]
UConn Football: Defense Must Return To Good Old Days [hartford courant]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Get Your UConn Huskies Dual Champs Apparel [sox & dawgs]
Video: UConn’s Geno Auriemma & Kevin Ollie Ring Closing Bell at NYSE [sox & dawgs]
Video: Jimmy Fallon Challenges Stefanie Dolson [sox & dawgs]
Mosqueda-Lewis writes a perfect ending [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]
Stewart Has Been Brilliant In Two Years With Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]
Dolson, Hartley Invited To Attend WNBA Draft Monday [rich elliott – ct post]
Geno: Pat Summitt still No. 1 in sport’s Mount Rushmore [jim fuller – new haven register]
UConn women overcame lack of depth down the stretch [new haven register]
UConn’s only real competition is Huskies from the past [new haven register]
At UConn, practice makes perfect for McMahon teacher [the hour]
Who Wore It Best: Kevin Ollie or Geno Auriemma? [vanity fair]
Tennessee and UConn may renew series in women’s basketball [lebanon democrat]
A tale of two titles [the gazette]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Get Your UConn Huskies Dual Champs Apparel [sox & dawgs]
Video: UConn’s Geno Auriemma & Kevin Ollie Ring Closing Bell at NYSE [sox & dawgs]
Incoming Husky Sam Cassell Jr. a JUCO All-American [dom amore – hartford courant]
Seven Schools Working Hardest for Tyus Battle [zagsblog]
Who Wore It Best: Kevin Ollie or Geno Auriemma? [vanity fair]
Roosevelt grad helps UConn win national title [the gazette]
Rand Paul, wearing a UCONN tie. Also, sunglasses. [washington post]
Other UConn related links
W. Lacrosse. Huskies To Host Georgetown On Friday [uconn huskies]
Softball. Softball Picks Up Second Consecutive Win With 5-3 Victory Over Fairfield [uconn huskies]
M. Track. Horn and Chapman Complete Day One at Bulldog Decathlon [uconn huskies]
Baseball. UConn Heads To Cincinnati For Conference Series [uconn huskies]
W. Track. Sea Ray Relays On Tap For Women’s Track & Field This Weekend [uconn huskies]
Tarred and Feathered
There’s much ado regarding the brown substance Michael Pineda had on his pitching hand during the Red Sox v. Yankees game last night. Pineda claims it was dirt because his palms sweat more than a [insert your own joke about teenage shenanigans here]. Pineda maintains this claim despite his sweaty palms problem miraculous clearing up after the 4th inning when his hands were clean. Everyone else thinks the gunk on Pineda’s hands was pine tar: you, me, the Boston media, the national media, your mom, my mom, Pineda’s mom, your dog’s mom, etc.
Does it matter? Yes, but not in the way that you’re thinking. Buchholz, who’s no stranger to accusations of cheating, has the best take on the Pineda controversy when he was asked if it was an issue:
“No, especially on cold windy nights, it’s tough to get a grip on the baseball,” Buchholz said. “I had that instance last year in Toronto, people said I had stuff all over my body you can use — rosin, water, the whole sunscreen stuff, whatever. I’d rather have a grip on the baseball and semi-know where it’s going [than] have no grip and get somebody hurt.”
A pitcher not having a firm grip on the ball is the crux of the matter, and perhaps this is why were not reading about complaints from Red Sox hitters regarding Pineda. (Besides Jonny Gomes, who had some negative comments. But Gomes is like Mikey and he hates everything.) Hitters place their lives in the pitcher’s hands every time they’re at the plate, and they seem content knowing that pitchers are doing everything possible to make sure an errant fastball isn’t flying towards their face because they couldn’t grip the baseball. In some cases, pitchers will use pine tar – which, technically, is cheating. But you don’t see the hitters complaining.
As for whether Pineda using pine tar improved his performance against the Red Sox lineup, some will say yes and point out that Pineda no-hit the Red Sox through four innings. But this is the same Red Sox lineup who, a day before, got one-hit through five innings by the Rangers’ Robbie Ross. Ross isn’t a star, and he wouldn’t even be in the Rangers’ starting rotation if that team hadn’t suffered some early injuries to its starters. Ross also walked five Red Sox hitters, and the one hit was a weak squibber that didn’t make it past the infield grass.
The Red Sox hit into seemingly countless double plays during their series with the Rangers, and they struck out 12 times against Yankees’ pitchers last night. Whether Robbie Ross is pitching clean or Michael Pineda is pitching dirty, the Red Sox are not hitting, period. They’re falling behind in counts and swinging at breaking balls, which results in either a swing and miss or a ground out. Instead of being able to foul off these pitches, work a count to 3-2 and force the pitcher to throw a fastball, the Red Sox are swinging into outs. That’s the issue, not pine tar.
Video: Pineda Shuts Down Red Sox in Yankees 4-1 Win
The Boston Red Sox made their first trip to Yankee Stadium of the 2014 season and they were beaten by a pitcher who may or may not have used pine tar on his hand (sound familiar folks?).
Michael Pineda struck out seven over six plus innings to help the New York Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Red Sox on Thursday night.
Former Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury had a hit and an RBI against his former club in the win.
Clay Buchholz pitched better than he did in his first start but took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out seven in six innings of work.
Daniel Nava provided the Red Sox with their only run of the night with a solo blast off of Pineda in the 7th. Xander Bogaerts added two hits and David Ortiz had the only other hit for the visiting nine.
PC/MOBILE/TABLET LINK (full game recap)
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the ESPN New York, New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites.
Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 4/10
After finishing up a six-game homestand with a win, the Boston Red Sox head out on the road for two city, eight day, seven game road trip. Tonight, they’ll kick it off with the first game of a four-game set with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees market, you can catch the game on YES. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
Clay Buchholz makes his second start of 2014 and first on the road. Although he had a tough go of things, Buchholz picked up a no decision in his first start after allowing six runs in 4.1 innings of work. He made three starts against the Yankees in 2013 and was 3-0 with a 0.50 ERA (1 ER/18 IP). He’s made 12 career starts against them and is 5-5 with a 5.32 ERA. Seven of those starts have come in the Bronx where he is 4-2 with a 5.50 ERA.
After missing all of the 2013 season, Michael Pineda makes his second start of 2014 for the Evil Empire. He picked up the loss in his first start after allowing one run in six innings of work against the Toronto Blue Jays. He took the loss in his lone career start against the Red Sox back in 2011 as a member of the Seattle Mariners. In that game, he allowed seven runs on eight hits and a walk in 4.1 innings of work.
| 4-5 |
4-5 |
||
| 1. Grady Sizemore | LF | 1. Brett Gardner | LF |
| 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 2. Derek Jeter | SS |
| 3. David Ortiz | DH | 3. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 4. Mike Napoli | 1B | 4. Carlos Beltran | RF |
| 5. Daniel Nava | RF | 5. Brian McCann | C |
| 6. Xander Bogaerts | SS | 6. Alfonso Soriano | DH |
| 7. A.J. Pierzynski | C | 7. Kelly Johnson | 1B |
| 8. Jackie Bradley, Jr | CF | 8. Yangervis Solarte | 3B |
| 9. Jonathan Herrera | 3B | 9. Dean Anna | 2B |
| Clay Buchholz | SP | Michael Pineda | SP |
NOTES:
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.
More links will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Who’s on third? [sox & dawgs]
What, we worry? [sox & dawgs]
The Mariano Rivera reminder: it’s time (once again) to appreciate Koji Uehara [rob bradford – weei]
Yanks’ Jacoby Ellsbury a top priority for Red Sox [clubhhouse insider]
To suit Yankee Stadium, Red Sox move Jackie Bradley Jr. to center field, Grady Sizemore to left [clubhouse insider]
Red Sox, Yankees on divergent paths these days [csn new england]
Schilling completes chemo treatments for cancer [csn new england]
Yankee Stadium prompts new-look Sox outfield [csn new england]
Notes: Nava dropped to 5th, Sizemore leads off [csn new england]
Will Sox come bearing gifts for Ellsbury? [espn boston]
Sizemore makes first-ever start in left, JBJ in center [espn boston]
Jacoby Ellsbury says being on New York Yankees has exceeded his expectations [espn boston]
Replacing Jacoby Ellsbury in leadoff spot hasn’t been easy for Red Sox [full count]
David Ortiz sets another record (sort of): slowest home run trot [full count]
Ben Cherington on D&C: John Lackey likely ‘going to keep pitching past 2015’ [full count]
Red Sox-Yankees series preview [full count]
Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Thornton To Receive World Series Rings Friday [nesn]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Yankees and Projecting the Unprojectable Future [providence journal]
As baseball has changed, free-spending Yankees have fallen behind [providence journal]
Grady Sizemore plays left field for the first time [providence journal]
Jacoby Ellsbury welcomes Red Sox to New York [providence journal]
Red Sox head to Bronx to face Ellsbury for first time [red sox]
Jacoby Ellsbury should be remembered well despite his change in allegiances [touching all the bases]
photo credits: getty images, getty images
What, we worry?
Reading too much into how a baseball team performs at the beginning of the season is a small sin.
This crime is not on the level of overreach as, for example, national sports media airing the claims of a tweet by a Cardinals’ A-ball pitcher that Jon Lester cheated in game 1 of the World Series; after the Cardinals made Little League-esque gaffes like Pete Kozma booting a double play ball in the first inning, and neither Yadier Molina or Adam Wainwright being able to catch a lazy pop-up in the second inning. Journalists who reported on that story should have been watching the game instead of Twitter. But reading too much into how a team performs this early in the season would, I confess, make me guilty of the sin of overreach.
It’s not that the Red Sox don’t have problems worthy of complaining about. The search for a leadoff hitter leaves a hole at the top of the order that’s roughly the size of Bartolo Colon‘s waist. The legion of men left on base is large enough to topple a weak despotic government. And watching Red Sox hitters take the philosophy of working pitch counts too far by not swinging at strike 3 has been frustrating.
But let’s not think about this too much.
What matters is that the Red Sox are only 4-5, despite how they’ve played. For the rest of April, the only above .500 team the Red Sox will face is the Toronto Blue Jays – and how long will they be above .500? And the only team which made the Red Sox look silly was the Milwaukee Brewers, who just happen to be the hottest team in baseball right now – how long will their streak continue?
So the Red Sox have a shot to be above .500 by the end of the month. With the outfield running on fumes until Victorino returns, and Middlebrooks‘ injury weakening the lineup, that’s a pretty good situation to be in. And I’ll enjoy watching one pleasant surprise of 2014, Jackie Bradley Jr, make me eat every word I wrote about him a couple weeks ago while the Red Sox stay competitive throughout April and, hopefully, have a healthier team in May and for the rest of the season.
It’s better that the Red Sox experience the problems they’re having now than in August.
photo credit: getty images
UConn’s Geno Auriemma and Kevin Ollie to Ring The Closing Bell® Thursday at 4 PM
STORRS, Conn. – Fresh off leading the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams to national championships, head coaches Kevin Ollie and Geno Auriemma will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday afternoon.
The NYSE closes at 4 p.m. ET and the closing bell ceremony can be viewed by clicking THIS LINK or by visiting http://new.livestream.com/NYSEeuronext.
Ollie led the Huskies to their fourth national championship in only his second year as the UConn head coach. The Huskies defeated Kentucky, 60-54, in front of nearly 80,000 people at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Auriemma led the Huskies to their record ninth national championship with a 79-58 win over previously undefeated Notre Dame on April 8. UConn completed their fifth undefeated season with a 40-0 record and was ranked No. 1 wire-to-wire during the 2013-14 season.
Since 1995, the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams have combined for 19 Final Four appearances and 13 National Championships. UConn is the only school to win the men’s and women’s basketball national championship in the same season, a feat the Huskies have now accomplished twice (2004, 2014).