If you haven’t seen this new spot from Under Armour and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, you have to check it out.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Saturday Red Sox Delight – 6/2
Mom, you’re going to need to make up another bed in the basement because we have company.
After beating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 last night, the Boston Red Sox are now tied with the Blue Jays in 4th place in the AL East with both teams sitting at 27-25. They are just three games out of first, two games out of second and 1.5 games out of third.
With the offense pounding out 15 hits last night, you would have thought the offense was the story of the game. It was only half of it.
The other half was the outstanding effort by Clay Buchholz on the Rogers Centre mound.
While he did give up two solo home runs on changeups up in the zone, his stuff was nasty. His fastball consistently sat at 94-95 MPH and his changeup, other than those two home runs was outstanding.
To me, he got stronger as the game went on. He had trouble establishing his curveball early on but he found it later on. He used that curve to make two of the Blue Jays best hitters, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, look silly as they watched two of them go for strike three in the 6th inning.
And oh by the way, he struck out Colby Rasmus looking to finish off that 6th inning.
All told, the outing by Buchholz resulted in seven strikeouts to go with two walks. The quality start was good enough to raise his record to 5-2 and lower his ERA from 7.19 to 6.58.
Daniel Nava isn’t going to take the job of Carl Crawford whenever he returns. But what Nava is doing is opening up some eyes with his play.
He had four hits last night, including three doubles to raise his average up to .314. But what stands out to me is Nava’s OBP of .444.
Folks, he’s getting on-base almost 50% of the time, he’s at the plate. And with that happening, good things usually happen. You could also say that he’s been part of the resurgence by the Red Sox.
Adrian Gonzalez had three hits on the night as well with two RBIs. David Ortiz and Ryan Sweeney added two hits. The only member of the starting nine without a hit was Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
A win today gets the Red Sox out of the basement which would be a welcome sight here in Red Sox Nation.
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.
After winning last night 7-2, the Boston Red Sox look to seal the series in the second game of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada this afternoon.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on SportsNet or TVA Sports (French language broadcast). And if you live outside of the Red Sox and Blue Jays television markets, you are in luck as MLB Network will have coverage of the game as well. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Felix Doubront will toe the Rogers Centre mound for the second time this season in his 11th start. In his previous 10 starts, Doubront is 5-2 with a 3.86 ERA. His only career start against the Blue Jays came earlier this season when he took a no decision after allowing two runs in five innings of work. He’s made six career appearances (one start) against the Jays and is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA. Three of those appearances (one start) have come at Rogers Centre where he is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA.
Kyle Drabek makes his 11th start of 2012 as he looks to keep the Jays out of the basement. In his previous 10 starts, Drabek is 4-5 with a 4.55 ERA. He picked up his first win of the season back on April 10th when he allowed one run in 5.1 innings of work to beat the Red Sox. He’s made three career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with an 8.16 ERA.
Here are today’s lineups:
 27-25 |
 27-25 |
||
| 1. Daniel Nava | LF | 1. Kelly Johnson | 2B |
| 2. Mike Aviles | SS | 2. Yunel Escobar | SS |
| 3. Adrian Gonzalez | RF | 3. Jose Bautista | RF |
| 4. David Ortiz | DH | 4. Edwin Encarnacion | 1B |
| 5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 5. Colby Rasmus | CF |
| 6. Kevin Youkilis | 1B | 6. Brett Lawrie | 3B |
| 7. Ryan Sweeney | CF | 7. Rajai Davis | LF |
| 8. Will Middlebrooks | 3B | 8. David Cooper | DH |
| 9. Nick Punto | 2B | 9. Jeff Mathis | C |
| Felix Doubront | SP | Kyle Drabek | 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
Nava remains in the swing as Sox beat Blue Jays [Boston Globe]
Buchholz has arrived [Boston Globe]
Ross and Pedroia closer to returning [Boston Globe]
Clay Buchholz goes 8 to top Jays [Boston Herald]
Plenty of pop when David Ortiz visits Toronto [Boston Herald]
Nava: Sox’ surprise spark [Boston Herald]
Pedroia to take BP [Clubhouse Insider]
The very latest on Dustin Pedroia [Clubhouse Insider]
Nava, Buchholz pace Sox past Jays [CSN New England]
Buchholz finally puts it all together [CSN New England]
Cuban OF Soler becomes free agent [CSN New England]
SoxProspects: Best and worst of May [ESPN Boston]
Pedroia takes his cuts [Extra Bases]
Can they find the next Cy guy? A look at the history of Red Sox’ 2012 draft picks [Full Count]
Closing Time: Red Sox, Clay Buchholz take another step forward against Blue Jays [Full Count]
Clay Buchholz’s Growing Confidence in Pitches Showing With Continued Success (Video) [NESN.com]
Should TV Networks Show Fans Running Onto the Field During Games? [NESN.com]
Daniel Nava, Scott Podsednik, Marlon Byrd Among Early Gifts for Bobby Valentine’s First Christmas [NESN.com]
David Ortiz, Daniel Nava Continue Hot Seasons Against Blue Jays in Toronto [NESN.com]
Youkilis unfazed by swirling trade rumors [RedSox.com]
Dedicated Podsednik giving Red Sox a boost [RedSox.com]
Ross declares himself nearly ready to return [RedSox.com]
Buchholz hitting stride at same time as Red Sox [RedSox.com]
Red Sox expect more good things from Doubront [RedSox.com]
Scouting Scratch: Greenville first impressions [SoxProspects.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, head over to the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun websites.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credit: Getty Images, Getty Images, Reuters Pictures
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 6/2
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
DC answered a question in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Catching Up With UConn Head Coach Paul Pasqualoni [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Pasqualoni Looking One Way — Forward to 2012 Football Season [Hartford Courant]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Moore From Maya [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
UConn recruiting target Erica McCall keeping family tradition alive [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Maya Moore not focused on issues with her European team [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
UConn has her number [Journal Inquirer]
A good starting point [Journal Inquirer]
Olympics reunite ex-UConn star Diana Taurasi, Geno Auriemma [SI.com]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Dom answered a question in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]
3-point shot: UConn watching Smith case [Andy Katz – ESPN.com]
UConn not part of Big East-SEC Challenge [Neill Ostrout – Journal Inquirer]
UConn Made Contingency Plans For Big East-SEC Challenge [Hartford Courant]
Other UConn related links
M. Golf. UConn Golfers Benefit From Mind Games [UConnHuskies.com]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Destination Red Sox Nation – 6/2
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 by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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
Best and worst of May [ESPN Boston]
Pawtucket Red Sox
The game between the PawSox and Lehigh Valley IronPigs was rained out last night. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader tonight starting at 5:35 p.m.
International League 2012 Standings
Portland Sea Dogs:
The game between the Sea Dogs and Altoona Curve was rained out Friday night. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader tonight starting at 6 p.m.
Salem Red Sox:
Salem’s offense exploded in a 12-4 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Salem Pounds Myrtle 12-4 in Series Opener [SalemRedSox.com]
Red Sox pound Pelicans to open weeklong home stand [Roanoke Times]
Britton moves on with assist from Walker [Roanoke Times]
Myrtle Beach Pelicans @ Salem Red Sox 6-1-12 box score [MiLB.com]
Carolina League 2012 standings
The Drive’s offense erupted for 13 hits in a 13-4 win over the Charleston RiverDogs.
Drive Keep RiverDogs on a Leash, Win 13-3 [OurSports Central]
Tables turn as Greenville Drive, Bryan Johns pound Charleston RiverDogs [GoUpstate.com]
Charleston RiverDogs @ Greenville Drive 6-1-12 box score [MiLB.com]
South Atlantic League 2012 Standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.
Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats
NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.
Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 6/1
After taking three of four from the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox head north of the border tonight for the first game of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on SportsNet. And if you don’t live in either market, you are in luck as MLB Network will have coverage of the game outside of the Red Sox and Blue Jays television markets. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Clay Buchholz looks to continue bringing his ERA down in his 11th start of the season. In his previous 10 starts, Buchholz is 4-2 with a 7.19 ERA. He has not faced the Jays in 2012 and was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts last year. He’s made 12 career appearances (11 starts) against Toronto and is 7-3 with a 2.58 ERA. Seven of those starts have come at the Rogers Centre where he is 5-2 with a 1.62 ERA.
Henderson Alvarez makes his 11th start of 2012 for former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. In his previous 10 starts, Alvarez is 3-4 with a 3.56 ERA. He picked up a no decision in his only start of 2012 against the Red Sox after allowing one run in six innings of work back on April 9th. He’s made two career starts against the Red Sox and has no record with a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/16 IP).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
| 26-25 |
27-24 |
||
| 1. Scott Podsednik | CF | 1. Kelly Johnson | 2B |
| 2. Daniel Nava | LF | 2. Yunel Escobar | SS |
| 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B | 3. Jose Bautista | RF |
| 4. David Ortiz | DH | 4. Edwin Encarnacion | DH |
| 5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 5. Colby Rasmus | CF |
| 6. Will Middlebrooks | 3B | 6. Brett Lawrie | 3B |
| 7. Ryan Sweeney | RF | 7. J.P. Arencibia | C |
| 8. Mike Aviles | SS | 8. David Cooper | 1B |
| 9. Nick Punto | 2B | 9. Rajai Davis | LF |
| Clay Buchholz | SP | Henderson Alvarez | 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
Prior joins PawSox as Iglesias hits DL [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
May days: How a ragtag bunch put Red Sox back in AL East race [Clubhouse Insider]
No roster moves regarding Pedroia [Clubhouse Insider]
Should Pedroia play this weekend? [CSN New England]
Report: Red Sox tell teams they intend to trade Youkilis [CSN New England]
A Grain of Saltalamacchia [CSN New England]
Youkilis gets scheduled day off [CSN New England]
Podcast: Francona talks Sox on ESPN NY [ESPN Boston]
Video: This week’s State of the Nation [ESPN Boston]
Video: Latest on Pedroia’s injury [ESPN Boston]
Cherington shoots down Youk report [ESPN Boston]
Bobby V podcast: No DL for Pedroia? [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox have pieces to play with [Extra Bases]
Cubs designate Michael Bowden [Extra Bases]
Ross ready to start playing next week [Extra Bases]
Nuggetpalooza: Some Red Sox stats from the Tigers series [Full Count]
Kevin Millar on M&M: Red Sox will be in first by June’s end [Full Count]
Should Major League Baseball Make Stealing Signs Illegal? [NESN.com]
Lefty prospect Britton promoted to Double-A Portland [Projo Sox Blog]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Blue Jays and the Tight AL East [Projo Sox Blog]
Productive Podsednik could make decision difficult [Projo Sox Blog]
Pedroia takes ground balls, still not on DL [Projo Sox Blog]
Facing Jays, Buchholz seeking another strong start [RedSox.com]
Red Sox power rankings: May [Touching All the Bases]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credit: AP Photo, Reuters Pictures
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 6/1
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
Catching Up With UConn Recruiting Coordinator Matt Cersosimo [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Graham Stewart’s Transfer From Florida To UConn Official [Hartford Courant]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Curtis Ekmark Thrilled His Daughter Will Be Playing At UConn [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Harper Puts Up Balanced Numbers In U-17 Exhibition Win Over Brazil [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Stewart, Tuck Shine As U.S. U-18 Team Pounds Brazil [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Breanna Stewart reflects on Pan Am experience [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Rebounding is name of UConn recruiting target’s game [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
Defense a calling card for Moriah Jefferson [New Haven Register]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
The Curious Case of Andre Drummond [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]
Recruiting Spotlight: Kentan Facey [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]
Andre Drummond Draft Preview [UConn Huskies Basketball]
Jeremy Lamb Draft Prep [UConn Huskies Basketball]
After NBA Lottery, Experts Detail Andre Drummond’s Future [Hartford Courant]
Other UConn related links
M. Golf. Buchanan named to All-Northeast Region Team [UConnHuskies.com]
Four To Be Inducted Into UConn Wing Of Fairfield Country HOF [UConnHuskies.com]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Destination Red Sox Nation – 6/1
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 by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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
Kalish back in contact [Boston Globe]
Pawtucket Red Sox
The PawSox were on the short end of a pitcher’s duel in a 2-0 loss to the Norfolk Tides.
PawSox Split Series with Tides [PawSox.com]
Dice-K solid in punchless Pawtucket loss [Providence Journal]
Lavarnway trying not to sweat his slow start [Providence Journal]
Norfolk Tides @ Pawtucket Red Sox 5.31.12 box score [MiLB.com]
International League 2012 Standings
Portland Sea Dogs:
Bryce Brentz went 5-for-5 in the Sea Dogs 7-2 win over the Harrisburg Senators.
Brentz Collects Second 5-hit game as Dogs win 7-2 [PortlandSeaDogs.com]
Brentz, Sea Dogs still sizzling [Portland Press Herald]
Slugger Advances to Round Two of Best Mascot Competition [PortlandSeaDogs.com]
Portland Sea Dogs @ Harrisburg Senators 5.31.12 box score [MiLB.com]
Salem Red Sox:
A five-run third helped Salem to a 6-2 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats.
Salem Sox Cruise Past Lynchburg 6-2 [SalemRedSox.com]
Salem Red Sox sweep Lynchburg [Roanoke Times]
Salem Red Sox reliever is making it good again [Roanoke Times]
Salem Red Sox @ Lynchburg Hillcats 5.31.12 box score [MiLB.com]
Carolina League 2012 standings
The Charleston RiverDogs offense exploded in a 13-2 win over the Drive.
Drive Unable to Cage RiverDogs, Lose 13-2 [OurSports Central]
Charleston RiverDogs dump Greenville Drive in series opener [GoUpstate.com]
Charleston RiverDogs @ Greenville Drive 5.31.12 box score [MiLB.com]
South Atlantic League 2012 Standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Spinners season will begin on June 18th against the Connecticut Tigers.
Lowell Spinners 2011 final stats
NY-Penn League 2011 Final Standings
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Red Sox season will begin on June 18th against the GCL Rays.
Gulf Coast League 2011 Final Standings
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Matchups: 6/1-6/3
Friday, June 1 @ 7:07 PM
Clay Buchholz, RHP (4-2, 7.19) vs Henderson Alvarez, RHP (3-4, 3.56)
TV: NESN, MLB Network MLB.tv
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio
Saturday, June 2 @ 1:07 PM
Felix Doubront (5-2, 3.86) vs Kyle Drabek, RHP (4-5, 4.55)
TV: NESN, MLB Network MLB.tv
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio
Sunday, June 3 @ 1:07 PM
Daniel Bard, RHP (5-5, 4.56) vs Drew Hutchison, RHP (4-2, 4.84)
TV: NESN, MLB.tv
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Video: A Sample of Jiana McDonald Interviewing Red Sox Players
As part of the Boston Red Sox’s latest initiative, “Calling All Kids“, Jiana McDonald, the daughter of OF Darnell McDonald, will be interviewing Red Sox players as the kid reporter for the Red Sox.
Here’s the sample of her work that was shown during the game.
{flvremote}http://cdn.ianbethune.com/jianamcdonaldsample.flv{/flvremote}
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Video: Big Papi Talks With Kevin Millar & Chris Rose on Intentional Talk
Before taking batting practice this afternoon, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz took a few minutes of his time to talk with Kevin Millar and Chris Rose on Intentional Talk.
I will only say this. This was one of the funniest interviews I’ve ever seen. Enjoy!
{flvremote}http://cdn.ianbethune.com/itbigpapi5312012.flv{/flvremote}
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.