Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said last week that the goal of his team was to win the rest of the series they played for the rest of the season. They had taken 2-of-3 from both the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers.

They did fall in the finale of Tigers series and then the Minnesota Twins took the first three games of a four-game set. But thanks to birthday boy Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez the Red Sox were able to stop the bleeding, albeit temporarily (again), in a 6-4 win.

Franklin Morales stepped in for the injured Josh Beckett yesterday afternoon and showed us why he belongs in the rotation (again). He went six innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four. Given that he’d been in the bullpen for a few weeks, nobody expected six innings from Morales.

But he was able to do it and he was a big part of the reason why the Red Sox won yesterday.

The birthday boy Crawford had three hits to lead the Red Sox offense. He knocked in the first run of the day on a groundout in the 3rd after Mike Aviles and Jacoby Ellsbury had singled and doubled respectively. After a Dustin Pedroia single, Gonzalez singled in Ellsbury to push the lead to 2-0.

Gonzo’s second hit of the day was a big one as he homered to bring in Crawford to give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead. Crawford was also a part of things in the 7th when he singled to lead off the inning and came in later on a Cody Ross single to make it 5-1 and give the Red Sox what was thought to be an insurmountable lead. Ellsbury added another run on a sac fly in the bottom of the 8th just to make sure in case something bad happened.

And wouldn’t you know it did.

Vicente Padilla struggled with his command in the 9th and it almost cost the Red Sox the game. Josh Willingham led off with a solo home run then Padilla walked Justin Morneau. Then Ryan Doumit took advantage of a meatball and crushed it for a two-run homer to cut the lead to 6-4.

Alfredo Aceves picked up his bullpen mate though retiring the final three batters to secure the win and his 23rd save of 2012.

Obviously losing 3-of-4 to the Twins over the weekend was a big blow to the Red Sox’s chances of making the postseason. I’d think there’s no way the Red Sox win the division as they trail the Yankees by 10 games. It would take a collapse like the Red Sox of 2011 for them to overtake the Yankees.

They are 3.5 games and 2.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in the division. They are 4.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers and Oakland A’s for both of the wild card spots. They can easily overcome that deficit but they need to get back to winning series.

It won’t be easy with the Texas Rangers coming to town for three games but if the Red Sox want to show us their contenders and not pretenders, they’ll make a statement this week. If not, the season of mediocrity will probably continue until the end of the season.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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Birthday bashing by Crawford [boston globe]

Salvage yard [boston globe]

Homer: A swing of beauty [boston globe]

Franklin Morales helps Red Sox end skid [boston herald]

Strong game icing on cake for improved Carl Crawford [boston herald]

Franklin Morales cleans up [boston herald]

Red-hot Adrian Gonzalez understands the deal [boston herald]

Bobby Valentine never fit here, should go now [boston herald]

Importance of Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez isn’t going anywhere [rob bradford – weei.com]

Ortiz may seek alternative treatment [rob bradford – weei.com]

Morales, Red Sox beat Twins in finale, 6-4 [csn new england]

Crawford getting into the swing of things in Boston [csn new england]

Morales: Feeling the best I have all season [csn new england]

Morales tacks on another solid spot-start outing [csn new england]

Ortiz looking at alternative options in hopes of earlier return [csn new england]

Red Sox’ Gonzalez: ‘I don’t want to go anywhere’ [csn new england]

Sox acquire Valencia for Pineda [espn boston]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 6, Twins 4 [espn boston]

Help us slice the Red Sox blame pie [espn boston]

Will Boston Red Sox part with Bobby Valentine before season’s end? [espn boston]

Morales provides a repreieve [espn boston]

After Boston Red Sox win, Bobby Valentine is safe for now [espn boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox salvage much-needed win over Twins [full count]

Franklin Morales impresses again, makes case to stay in rotation [full count]

Nuggetpalooza: Stats from the tough Red Sox’ weekend against the Twins [full count]

Craig Breslow Says Boston Stage Will ‘Bring Out the Best’ in Andrew Bailey, Revive All-Star Form [nesn.com]

Red Sox, Twins Are Hoping That Change of Scenery Will Benefit Danny Valencia [nesn.com]

Red Sox Abandon ‘Four-Day’ Plan for Carl Crawford, Believe ‘There’s Nothing Restricting Him’ [nesn.com]

Adversity Helped Deven Marrero ‘Become More of a Man,’ First-Round Pick Starting Journey Through Minors (Video) [nesn.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Takes Dodgers’ Interest as a Compliment, But Wants to Stay in Boston [nesn.com]

Carl Crawford Has Big Day, Makes Bobby Valentine Wish Every Day Was Left Fielder’s Birthday [nesn.com]

Franklin Morales Continues Answering the Bell For the Red Sox, Overcomes Muggy Conditions [nesn.com]

Alfredo Aceves Rewards Bobby Valentine’s Faith a Night After Giving Up Game-Winning Home Run [nesn.com]

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, be sure to head over to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Twins Target.

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

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 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. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Poly Prep grid standout Stapleton picks UConn [ny post]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Taurasi Lifts Team USA to 114-66 Win Over China [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Jeremy Lamb, Kemba Walker, A.J. Price Highlight GHPA Sunday Night [david borges – new haven register]

Calhoun Undergoes Successful Surgery [uconnhuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Track. Phylicia George Advances to 100M Hurdle Semis in London [uconnhuskies.com]

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

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. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Forner No. 1 pick’s retirement could aid former Husky [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn receiver Phillips has size, speed and perhaps the ability to excel [ct post]

Season May Hinge On Health Of Jimmy Bennett [hartford courant]

Huskies roaring into new season [the hour]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn thread helping U.S. women toward five-peat [ct post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Shabazz Napier: Getting Healthy for The Season [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Stars Past and Present React to Jim Calhoun’s Bike Injury [david borges – new haven register]

Shabazz Napier Still in Boot; Kemba Just Wants to Win [david borges – new haven register]

Video Action from the Calhoun Charity Classic [david borges – new haven register]

Former UConn players react to Calhoun’s fractured hip [kevin duffy – ct post]

Notes/Quotes from Calhoun Charity Classic [kevin duffy – ct post]

Former Huskies react to Calhoun’s accident [gavin keefe – the day]

Jim Calhoun Suffers Hip Fracture In Biking Accident [uconnhuskies.com]

Walker Scores 38 In Calhoun All-Star Game [uconnhuskies.com]

Calhoun breaks hip during bike ride, undergoes surgery [ct post]

Coach Jim Calhoun Fractures Hip In Biking Accident, Misses His Charity Game [hartford courant]

Former Huskies Gather For Charity Basketball Game, But Calhoun Is Absent [hartford courant]

This Seals It: Calhoun Will Be Back [hartford courant]

Jim Calhoun fractures hip in bicycle accident [new haven register]

Kemba Walker wants to get back to his winning ways [new haven register]

Classic goes on without injured Calhoun [the day]

Other UConn related links

W. Track. Phylicia George Olympic Debut on Monday For Team Canada [uconnhuskies.com]

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

If you were looking for me to talk about last night’s game, I’ve got one word. PATHETIC!

After falling last night 6-4, the Boston Red Sox look to salvage some pride and avoid a sweep in the finale of a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins at historic Fenway Park this afternoon.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and 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. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Franklin Morales steps in for the injured Josh Beckett to make his 6th start (34th appearance) of 2012. In his previous 33 appearances (five starts), Morales is 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA. He’s made two appearances against the Twins this season and has no record with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/1.1 IP). He’s made four career appearances against the Twins and has no record with a 7.36 ERA (3 ER/3.2 IP). He’s never pitched against the Twins at the Fens.

Nick Blackburn steps to the bump for the 17th time in 2012. In his previous 16 starts, Blackburn is 4-6 with a 7.43 ERA. He took the loss in his only start of 2012 against the Red Sox after allowing five runs in three innings of work back on April 24th. He’s made seven career appearances (six starts) against the Red Sox and is 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA. Three of those appearances (two starts) have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 4.50 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 today’s lineups:

47-60		53-55
1. Ben Revere	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Darin Mastroianni	RF	2. Carl Crawford	LF
3. Joe Mauer	C	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Josh Willingham	LF	4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
5. Justin Morneau	1B	5. Cody Ross	DH
6. Ryan Doumit	DH	6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
7. Brian Dozier	SS	7. Will Middlebrooks	3B
8. Alexi Casilla	2B	8. Ryan Kalish	RF
9. Jamey Carroll	3B	9. Mike Aviles	SS
Nick Blackburn	SP	Franklin Morales	SP

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

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

No relief [boston globe]

Nothing new happened while you were away [boston globe]

From the Maniacal One . . . [boston globe]

Coaching shakeup possible [boston globe]

Morales set to start over [boston globe]

Sox hit new low in latest setback [boston herald]

Deal with it: Jacoby Ellsbury stays [boston herald]

Bobby Valentine, Sox weigh sabermetrics [boston herald]

Bobby Valentine, Sox weigh sabermetrics [boston herald]

Kelly Shoppach aims to cut down on stealing [boston herald]

Red Sox wasting away [boston herald]

Sox have to react and subtract [boston herald]

Three former pros expound on significance of team dynamics [boston herald]

Bullpen implodes, wasting Buchholz’s gem, 6-4 [csn new england]

Sox ruin Ciriaco’s Fenway moment [csn new england]

Buchholz: It’s about the team [csn new england]

Ortiz taking cautious approach [csn new england]

These Sox not playoff worthy [csn new england]

Report: Mother claims Valentine-backed team owes money [csn new england]

Crawford in the lineup on his 31st birthday [csn new england]

Red Sox notes: Ellsbury (leg) back in the lineup [csn new england]

Rapid Reaction: Twins 6, Red Sox 4 [espn boston]

Boston Red Sox hit new low but Bobby Valentine keeps chin up [espn boston]

Ortiz to tackle agility drills [espn boston]

Pregame notes: Crawford going strong [espn boston]

Pregame Twins-Red Sox notes from Fenway Park [extra bases]

Andrew Bailey on bullpen role: ‘I don’t give a [expletive], frankly’ [full count]

Closing Time: Alfredo Aceves, Red Sox bullpen trashed in brutal loss to Twins [full count]

Alfredo Aceves: ‘Why don’t you ask the umpire how he missed the pitch?’ [full count]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia returns to lineup uncertainty: ‘It’s frustrating not knowing’ about role [full count]

‘The clock is ticking’ on these Red Sox [full count]

Franklin Morales Switches Mentalities With Return to Starting, Plans to Adhere to Pitch Limit [nesn.com]

Red Sox Waste Another Golden Opportunity, Continue Making Mistakes in the Clutch [nesn.com]

Pedro Ciriaco Says Red Sox Need to ‘Move On,’ Despite His First Career Home Run [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine Has Managed Bullpen Brilliantly, Can’t Be Faulted for Saturday Relief Collapse [nesn.com]

How Many More Starts Will Franklin Morales Make for the Red Sox This Year? [nesn.com]

Red-Hot Adrian Gonzalez, Pedro Ciriaco Lead Red Sox at Plate as Team Eyes Rebound [nesn.com]

David Ortiz Frustrated He Can’t Help Reeling Red Sox, But Doesn’t Want to Put ‘Career in Jeopardy’ [nesn.com]

Bard confident he’s returned to form [projo sox blog]

No restrictions on Crawford [projo sox blog]

Morales steps in for Beckett against Twins [redsox.com]

Bobby V adapts approach to fit modern players [redsox.com]

Red Sox have strong showing at sabermetrics seminar [redsox.com]

Rehabbing Bailey to pitch Sunday in Double-A [redsox.com]

Enforced games off for Crawford appear over [redsox.com]

David Ortiz’ injury may be the straw that broke the Red Sox’ back [alex speier – weei.com]

Punto: ‘We’re very mediocre’ [alex speier – weei.com]

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

photo credits: getty images, getty images