Déjà Vu: Miller Allows Twins Walk-Off Win

The Minnesota Twins celebrate a walk-off single against the Boston Red Sox by Aaron Hicks #32 during the tenth inning of the game on May 15, 2014 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On Tuesday night after the Boston Red Sox had rallied to tie the game, Andrew Miller allowed the Minnesota Twins to walk-off with a win. Fast forwarding to Thursday afternoon, the exact same thing happened.

The struggling Will Middlebrooks singled in two runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game. Miller had no problem in the bottom of half of the 9th. In the 10th inning, he got the first two outs sandwiched by a Kurt Suzuki double.

But on a 3-2 count, Aaron Hicks fisted a single to left to bring in Suzuki to give the home team the 4-3 win at Target Field.

Clay Buchholz started this one for the Red Sox and seemed to be in trouble in just about every inning. Despite that, he still picked up a quality start by allowing three runs on 10 hits and three walks with six strikeouts in six innings of work.

Craig Breslow and Chris Capuano kept the Red Sox in the game with a scoreless inning each.

Mike Carp, making a rare start, had two hits and an RBI. Jonny Gomes also had two hits.

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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 the enemy news, check out the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune websites.

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photo credit: getty images

Detroit Tigers @ Boston Red Sox Pitching Matchups: 5/16-5/18

Detroit Tigers @ Boston Red Sox pitching matchups

Note: Pitching matchups are subject to change

Friday, May 16 @ 7:10 PM

Max Scherzer, RHP (5-1, 2.04) vs Jon Lester, LHP (4-4, 2.75)

TV: NESN, MLB Network, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Saturday, May 17 @ 7:10 PM

Rick Porcello, RHP (6-1, 3.22) vs John Lackey, RHP (5-2, 3.57)

TV: NESN, MLB Network MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Sunday, May 18 @ 8:05 PM

Anibal Sanchez, RHP (0-2, 3.13) vs Jake Peavy, RHP (1-1, 3.94)

TV: ESPN, WatchESPN

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Pucky’s Revenge

In a recently concluded Divisional Final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, two of the most dreaded former opponents of the Hartford Whalers matched up.  It was the Montreal Canadiens, who had a habit of breaking Whalers fans hearts in the playoffs and the Boston Bruins, the team that never respected the Whalers and always seemed to have their number.

PuckyIn this recent series The Canadiens defeated the Bruins in seven games winning the final 3-1 at TD Garden in Boston.  Granted, the new Garden and the Bell Centre are beautiful buildings but neither are the true houses of horror that Hartford experienced during its NHL years at the Boston Garden and the Montreal Forum.

But something stood out to me. The series winning goal was scored by a Canadiens player who was born in, gasp, Connecticut.  That’s right, Max Pacioretty is a native of New Canaan CT.  He most likely grew up a Rangers fan but because of all the great work the New England/Hartford Whalers did over the years with growing youth hockey in Connecticut, Pacioretty is one of ten current NHL players who can call Connecticut home.  Included among them are Stanley Cup champions, Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles) and Ben Smith (Chicago).

As a former Whalers fan it was great to see a Connecticut kid put the dagger in the Bruins, even if he was wearing a Canadiens sweater.  I like to think of it as Pucky’s Revenge.

Below is a list of the ten current NHL players from Connecticut it comes courtesy of Hockey Reference.

Along with those players, it made me wonder how many former Whalers are actually working in the NHL.  With help from Whalers Hockey I was able to compile this list.  There are 46 former Whalers Alumni working in the NHL and many more in hockey in the Olympics, college, juniors, high school, youth ranks and overseas.

Executives (13)

  • Brendan Shanahan President Toronto
  • Ron Francis GM Carolina
  • Ken Holland GM Detroit
  • Don Maloney GM Arizona
  • Marc Bergevin GM Montreal
  • Mike Vellucci Asst GM Carolina
  • Pat Verbeek Asst GM Tampa Bay
  • Paul Fenton Asst GM Nashville
  • Norm Maciver Asst GM Chicago
  • Sean Burke Asst GM/Goalie Coach Arizona
  • Dave Babych Vancouver Director Player Personnel
  • Larry Pleau Senior Advisor St Louis
  • Brent Peterson Advisor Nashville

Scouting/Player Development (19)

  • Mark Howe Director Pro Scouting Detroit
  • Nelson Emerson Director Player Development/Asst Coach LA Kings
  • Glen Wesley Player Development Carolina
  • Randy Cunneyworth Player Development Buffalo
  • Mike Antonovich Scout St. Louis
  • Rick Meagher Scout St. Louis
  • Michel Picard Scout St. Louis
  • Shane Churla Scout Montreal
  • Mark Grieg Scout Philadelphia
  • Chris Pronger Scout Philadelphia
  • Robert Kron Scout Carolina
  • Greg Malone Scout Tampa Bay
  • Glen Merkosky Scout Detroit
  • Bryan Marchment Scout San Jose
  • Geoff Sanderson Scout NY Islanders
  • Jim Sandlak Scout Anaheim
  • Al Tuer Scout Florida
  • Tom Webster Scout Calgary
  • Eric Weinrich Scout Buffalo

Coaching (13)

  • Joel Quenneville Head Coach Chicago
  • Dave Tippett Head Coach Arizona
  • Todd Richards Head Coach Columbus
  • Ulf Samuelsson Asst Coach NY Rangers
  • Doug Houda Asst Coach Boston
  • Doug Jarvis Asst Coach Boston
  • Jack McIlhargehy Asst Coach Philadelphia
  • James Patrick Asst Coach Dallas
  • Mark Reeds Asst Coach Ottawa
  • Brad Shaw Asst Coach St Louis
  • John Stevens Asst Coach LA Kings
  • Steve Weeks Goalie Coach Chicago
  • Jeff Reese Goalie Coach Philadelphia

Other (1)

  • Nick Fotiu Public Relations NY Rangers

Thursday Red Sox Delight – 5/15/14

Clay Buchholz (L), Phil Hughes (R)

After winning last night, the Boston Red Sox look for the series win this afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Twins television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports North. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Clay Buchholz looks to get back on track in his eighth start of 2014. In his previous seven starts, Buchholz is 2-3 with a 6.44 ERA. He made two starts against the Twinkies in 2013 and had no record with a 4.15 ERA (6 ER/13 IP). He’s made seven career starts against the Twins and is 3-1 with a 4.22 ERA. Two of those starts have come at Target Field where he is 1-0 with a 5.11 ERA (7 ER/12.1 IP).

Phil Hughes makes his eight start for his new team in the Twins. In his previous seven starts, Hughes is 4-1 with a 3.92 ERA.  He made two appearances (one start) against the Red Sox in 2013 as a member of the Evil Empire and was 0-1 with a 17.36 ERA (9 ER/4.2 IP). He’s made 22 career appearances (13 starts) against the visitors and is 5-7 with a 5.70 ERA.

Boston Red Sox20-19 Minnesota Twins18-20
1. Dustin Pedroia 2B 1. Brian Dozier 2B
2. Xander Bogaerts SS 2. Joe Mauer DH
3. David Ortiz DH 3. Trevor Plouffe 3B
4. Mike Napoli 1B 4. Chris Colabello 1B
5. Jonny Gomes RF 5. Jason Kubel LF
6. Mike Carp LF 6. Kurt Suzuki C
7. David Ross C 7. Chris Parmelee RF
8. Will Middlebrooks 3B 8. Aaron Hicks CF
9. Jackie Bradley, Jr. 3B 9. Eduardo Escobar SS
Clay Buchholz SP Phil Hughes SP

NOTES:

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

Boston Red Sox @ Minnesota Twins Batter/Pitcher Matchups

More links (bolded) will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.

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Manny Ramirez Makes His Return To Fenway Park on May 28 [sox & dawgs]

Red Sox not far from last year’s place; Grady Sizemore on more regular schedule [clubhouse insider]

Sox’ faith in young hitters pays off [csn new england]

Ortiz has been on Target for the last two games [csn new england]

Notes: Carp, Gomes, Ross in day game lineup [csn new england]

Can Ortiz go where no Sox has tread? [espn boston]

Prospect Mookie Betts looks like he’s got all the tools [providence journal]

Red Sox no longer restricting Sizemore’s playing time [providence journal]

Mike Carp gets a rare start for Red Sox [providence journal]

Prospect Henry Owens displays peaks and valleys in uneven performance Wednesday [providence journal]

Buchholz hoping to earn series victory vs. Twins [red sox]

Red Sox looking to get Mujica turned around [red sox]

A mistake for the ages: David Ortiz keeps reminding Twins of an all-time personnel mistake [alex speier – weei]

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 5/15/14

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as 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

Former UConn Standouts Stephen, Smallwood Taken In 2014 NFL Draft [sox & dawgs]

Toms River North’s Jordan Craig earns first offer from UConn, talks recruitment [the star-ledger]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma and Ollie Honored by the New York Athletic Club With Prestigious Winged Foot Award [sox & dawgs]

Seton Hall’s Bozzella Believes Butler Could Be An All-American [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Auriemma Talks About His USA Basketball Staff [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn’s Auriemma likes makeup of national team staff [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn expected to submit Tuck’s medical hardship paperwork next week [jim fuller – new haven register]

Natalie Butler, Big East’s Top Freshman, Coming To UConn [hartford courant]

Kalana Greene claimed off waivers by the Washington Mystics [swish appeal]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Auriemma and Ollie Honored by the New York Athletic Club With Prestigious Winged Foot Award [sox & dawgs]

Kevin Ollie: “I Am Not Looking for Another Job” [david borges – new haven register]

UConn notebook: APR score pleases Ollie, White House trip set for June 9 [william paxton – ct post]

Ollie: UConn Talks ‘Progressing;’ Gets Award With Auriemma [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Three National Champions At UConn, Three Perfect APR Scores [sox & dawgs]

W. Swimming. Christine Pedersen Continues To Impress In The Pool [uconn huskies]

M. Track. Men’s Track & Field Gears Up For IC4A Championship [uconn huskies]

W. Track. UConn Women Head to Princeton for ECAC Championships [uconn huskies]

Baseball. UConn Hosts UCF For Final Regular Season Series, Senior Day Friday [uconn huskies]

Destination Red Sox Nation – 5/15/14

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found below.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

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

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox were held to two hits in 3-1 loss to the Indianapolis Indians.

Indy Stiffles PawSox 3-1 [pawsox]

Indy pitchers combine to toss 2-hitter [providence journal]

Pawtucket Red Sox @ Indianapolis Indians 5/14/14 box score [milb]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2014 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox 2014 stats

International League 2014 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The New Britain Rock Cats got three in the 9th to walk-off with a 4-3 win over the Sea Dogs.

Rock Cats with a walk-off walk, beat the ‘Dogs 4-3 [portland sea dogs]

Sea Dogs squander lead, lose in ninth [portland press herald]

Prospect Mookie Betts looks like he’s got all the tools [providence journal]

Sea Dogs Closing-In on 8 Millionth Fan [portland sea dogs]

Portland Sea Dogs @ New Britain Rock Cats 5/14/14 box score [milb]

Portland Sea Dogs 2014 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2014 stats

Eastern League 2014 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

Salem held on for a 3-2 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Diaz Strong as Sox Top Rocks 3-2 [salem red sox]

Diaz stays strong for 7 to lead the Sox over Wilmington [roanoke times]

Salem Red Sox @ Wilmington Blue Rocks 5/14/14 box score [milb]

Salem Red Sox 2014 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2014 stats

Carolina League 2014 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Drive lost both games of a doubleheader to the Savannah Sand Gnats. Savannah won the first game 5-4 and the second 6-1.

Drive Drop a Pair to Savannah [greenville drive]

Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 4/19/14 box score [milb]

Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 5/14/14 box score [milb]

Greenville Drive 2014 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2014 stats

South Atlantic League 2014 Standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Lowell Spinners 2014 season kicks off on Friday, June 13 when they’ll host the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Final Lowell Spinners 2013 Roster

Final Lowell Spinners 2013 stats

Final NY-Penn League 2013 Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Lowell Spinners website

Gulf Coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox kick off their 2014 season on Friday June 20 when they’ll host the GCL Twins.

Final GCL Red Sox 2013 Roster

Final GCL Red Sox 2013 stats

Final Gulf Coast League 2013 Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Video: Big Papi Homers Twice In 9-4 Win Over Twins

Brian Butterfield #13 of the Boston Red Sox congratulates David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox as Ortiz rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of the game on May 14, 2014 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ten years later, it appears that David Ortiz still holds a grudge against his former team in the Minnesota Twins. For the second straight night, Big Papi hit two home runs against them.

This time it wasn’t for naught as the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 9-4 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN on Wednesday night.

After having four hits the night before, Ortiz had three hits, including the two home runs and two RBIs. Grady Sizemore added two hits and two RBIs while Xander Bogaerts had two hits.

A.J. Pierzynski also had a hit and two RBI. Will Middlebrooks, Mike Napoli and Dustin Pedroia all had an RBI as well.

Felix Doubront started this one and had one of his better, if not best starts of the 2014 season. He allowed one run on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 innings. Burke Badenhop allowed an unearned run over 1.2 innings while Edward Mujica‘s struggles continued as he gave up a two runs in the 9th.

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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 the enemy news, check out the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune websites.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: getty images