Video: Brian Ebersole Beats Dennis Hallman by TKO at UFC 133

When your walk-in music is Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and you’re wearing a Speedo in The Octagon, you deserve to get your butt kicked. And that’s exactly what happened to Dennis Hallman at UFC 133 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday night.

Hallman’s butt whooping came at the hands of Brian Ebersole who beat him by TKO (strikes) at 4:28 of the first round.

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Video: Tough Day For Fenway Beer Vendor

During the 6th inning of Saturday’s 10-4 win for the Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees, one of the Fenway Park beer vendors had a little accident. He ended up spilling his whole tray of beer cans all over the field to create the first ever “beer delay” in MLB history.

Here’s what Red Sox skipper Terry Francona had to say about it:

“I was just glad Bogie didn’t grab one and start drinking it,” Terry Francona said after the game. “I didn’t know what was going on. So many things happen in our games here. I saw the umpire running, I’m thinking, my goodness, what did I miss now? Who’s fighting who or who said something to who?”

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And here’s the umpire’s reaction.

Notes From Patriots Camp – 8/6

In THe Red Zone

The New England Patriots held a public afternoon practice session on Saturday and 18 players including Albert Haynesworth and Brandon Spikes were not on the field. 

Also among those missing practice were T Matt Light and RB Kevin Faulk who are according to NFL officials on the “active/physically unable to perform” list.  Both had undergone surgeries Light for his shoulder and Faulk to repair his torn ACL.  DE Myron Pryor was on the field for the first time this season.

Some notes from the actual full pads practice DB Sergio Brown had the hit of the day according to observers when he plastered rookie RB Stevan Ridley on the 3 yard line during goal line drills.

It was a much better day for the receiving corps as TE Rob Gronkowski looked really good as did his fellow TE Aaron Hernandez who made three nice grabs in the end zone including one that was made one handed.  WR Chad Ochocinco also looked more in sync as he made a nice leaping catch over two defenders.

QB Tom Brady stayed after the workout and worked with WR Julian Edelman on routes and the like.  Brady even ran sprints when he was done.

It was noted by several observers that newly signed free agent DE Mark Anderson seems to be exceptionally quick getting into the backfield several times during the session.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Place kicker Stephen Gostkowski says he has “no limitations” but that he isn’t doing the full load of kicking as of yet as he returns from a torn thigh muscle that ended his 2010 season.  He says, “I’m just trying to get healthy enough to get on the field everyday.  It’s just trying to be smart about it.”  Since replacing Adam Vinatieri, he has become the most accurate kicker in Patriots history and he and his booming kickoffs are important to the team when it comes to opponent’s field possession.

Say what you want about the defense but it surely appears that Bill Belichick is changing from a 3-4 to a 4-3 or 3-4 hybrid.  It appears he feels something had to be done after quick playoff exits the last two seasons.  He has seen both the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens chew up the Patriots with their post season running game.  The 4-3 is a much better run defense as you tend to clog the line and with big guys in the middle like Vince Wilfork and Haynesworth there will be a lot of clogging going on.

A 4-3 or some form of a 3-4 hybrid would allow players like Wilfork and Haynesworth to get into the backfield, get sacks and blow up run plays while avoiding the double teams that Wilfork constantly has run into the last few seasons without Richard Seymour on the end. It also allows LB Jerod Mayo to move from the inside to the weak side and use his athletic ability to play sideline to sideline and pursue like he did at Tennessee.  This also puts Spikes in the middle where he can shine as a very physical linebacker and puts Jermaine Cunningham on the end where he is more comfortable and he can blossom.

Remember if you take one part of someone’s game away, i.e. the run, they have to do something different.  When you know a team is going to pass because they can’t run you can get a better pass rush, which leads to better coverage.

Former Patriot WR Chad Jackson has signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.

Just a reminder that the first preseason game is this Thursday at Gillette Stadium against Jacksonville.  Sox & Dawgs will bring you a shortened game preview later in the week.  It will be televised but only in the New England and Jacksonville markets.  If you miss the game or can’t get it NFL Network will re-play it Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.

The Patriots will still hold some public practices as they prepare or the Jaguars.  Here is the upcoming schedule that is always subject to change.

Sunday

There is no practice the players are off.

Monday

Practice will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Patriots Experience will be open from Noon until 5 p.m.

Tuesday

Practice will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Patriots Experience will be open from Noon until 5 p.m.

Patriots fans are amazing they’ve had nearly 16,000 combined at the last two practices on Friday and Saturday.

For all the latest training camp information go to patriots.com/trainingcamp or call 508.549.0041.

Stay with Sox & Dawgs for all the latest Patriots news.  We will post larger signings and trades as soon as we can and will recap the minor moves near the end of the day.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 8/6

CC Sabathia (L), John Lackey (R)

After falling out of first place last night, the Boston Red Sox look to get back into a tie for first in the second game of a three-game set with the New York Yankees this afternoon at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on FOX in 81% of the USA. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After receiving a no decision for the first time all season in his last start, John Lackey goes for his 10th win in his 19th start of 2011. In his previous 18 starts, Lackey is 9-8 with a 6.23 ERA. One of those wins came in his only start of the season against the Yankees back on April 8th. In that start, he allowed six runs on seven hits in five innings of work. He’s made 20 career starts against the Yanks and is 7-8 with a 4.68 ERA. He’s made three of those starts at the Fens where he is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA against them.

CC Sabathia makes his 25th start of 2011 this afternoon. In his previous 24 starts, Sabathia is 16-5 with a 2.55 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 0-3 with a 6.16 ERA (13 ER/19 IP). In 18 career starts against the Red Sox, CC is 6-8 with a 3.88 ERA. Eight of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-3 with a 3.78 ERA.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the morning/early afternoon if you’re on the home page.

Here are this afternoon’s lineups:

New York Yankees69-42 Boston Red Sox68-43
1. Brett Gardner LF 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Derek Jeter SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Curtis Granderson CF 3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Mark Teixeira 1B 4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Robinson Cano 2B 5. David Ortiz DH
6. Nick Swisher RF 6. Mike Aviles RF
7. Eric Chavez 3B 7. Carl Crawford LF
8. Jorge Posada DH 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Francisco Cervelli C 9. Marco Scutaro SS
CC Sabathia SP John Lackey SP

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

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

Mike Aviles debuts in right field for Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Aviles to make outfield debut Saturday [CSNNE.com]

Lackey vs. Sabathia: A mismatch? [ESPN Boston]

Drew begins hitting off a tee [ESPN Boston]

Sabathia vs. Lackey today at Fenway [ESPN Boston]

The call from here: not a big deal [Extra Bases]

Video: Cafardo’s analysis of Friday’s loss [Extra Bases]

Aviles willing to give RF a shot [Extra Bases]

Behind enemy lines: Girardi talks pitching [Extra Bases]

Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]

Who Is the Better Set-Up Man: Red Sox’ Daniel Bard or Yankees’ David Robertson? [NESN.com]

New Verizon Distributed Antenna System Improves Mobile Wireless Coverage for Fans In and Around Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Red Sox Expand Social Media Contests to Celebrate Wireless Coverage Upgrades at Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard Answers Fan Questions in Live Twitter Player Q and A [NESN.com]

J.D. Drew Hitting Off Tee, Eyed as Potential Lift for Red Sox Down the Stretch [NESN.com]

Sabathia-Lackey a Mismatch — or is it? [Projo Sox Blog]

With Yanks rolling, Red Sox have hands full [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: Reuters Pictures, Getty Images

Red Sox News & Notes – 8/6

New York tabloid covers for Saturday, August 6, 2011

Momentum. When it’s on your side, it can be a really good thing. And when it’s not, there’s no telling how bad things can get.

Unfortunately for the Boston Red Sox last night, they found themselves on the wrong side of it in a 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees last night. The loss for the local nine gives the Bronx Bombers sole possession of first place in the AL East.

In case you were wondering, the Red Sox hold a seven game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the wild card standings.

The Red Sox entered the 5th inning with a 2-0 lead over the Yankees and their starter Bartolo Colon on the strength of a Jacoby Ellsbury RBI double and a David Ortiz monstrous home run to right field. It was looking like they would put a little more distance between themselves and the Yankees when they managed to load up the bases.

But rather than stick with Colon, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi went to his bullpen for a lefty in Boone Logan to face Adrian Gonzalez. Logan ended up making Gonzo look silly as he struck him out on three pitches to keep the game where it was at 2-0 Red Sox. You can bet that won’t happen again to Gonzo if he faces Logan down the road.

Now having that momentum on their side, the Yankees worked some magic in the 6th inning off of Jon Lester. It’s really funny how one bad inning can cost you the game. And it didn’t help that Lester walked the leadoff batter, the 9th place hitter Eduardo Nunez to start the inning.

The Yankees captain followed that up with a single and Curtis Granderson would bring Nunez home with a single. Lester’s second walk off the inning, this one to Mark Teixeira loaded up the bases. The Yankees got the second run of the game when Robinson Cano grounded into a double play but that was an exchange the Red Sox would gladly take to get two outs. But Nick Swisher closed out the scoring on the night with a double that brought in Granderson.

After that, the Red Sox couldn’t really get anything going other than a Carl Crawford double off of Logan. Corey Wade, Rafael Soriano and the Godfather of closers, Mariano Rivera, shut the Red Sox down.

Up until that fateful 6th inning, Lester was throwing the ball well. He had an excellent command and his cutter was downright nasty. But when his command went array in the 6th, the Yankees took full advantage. Take away that inning and we’re probably talking about the Red Sox being in first place today and not the other way around.

Matt Albers was outstanding out of the Red Sox bullpen as he struck out two with a walk in two innings of work. Randy Williams and Alfredo Aceves combined on a nice inning as well with Williams issuing a walk.

A win today for the Red Sox would be really nice but they know it won’t come easy against CC Sabathia. They’ll need John Lackey to be at the top of his game this afternoon.

We’ll be back later with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

With playoffs nearly assured for both, Sox-Yankees falls flat [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Slide into second [Boston Globe]

Time for bats to swing into action [Boston Globe]

Hot team from New York has something to prove [Boston Globe]

Miller penned in for relief [Boston Globe]

Aviles suddenly in the middle of it [Boston Globe]

It was jobs well done by ’pen [Boston Globe]

Lester’s outing deep-sixed [Boston Globe]

The numbers speak well of Granderson [Boston Globe]

Sox looking up at NY [Boston Herald]

Rivals know it’s first things first [Boston Herald]

It’ll be battle to the wire [Boston Herald]

Youk: Ortiz deserves second RBI [Boston Herald]

To Lester, sixth makes no sense [Boston Herald]

Sox looking up at NY [Boston Herald]

Rivals trading places? [Boston Herald]

Nick Swisher: Yanks’ series-opening win proves Red Sox are ‘human’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox stumble, Yankees take over first, 3-2 [CSNNE.com]

Don’t overhype this weekend [CSNNE.com]

Bond between Ortiz, Cano bigger than baseball [CSNNE.com]

Sox stars lack shine in series opener [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Ortiz makes history with HR [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Yankees 3, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

One bad inning costs Lester and Sox [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Lester, Sox see streaks end against Yankees [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia on takeout slide: ‘It was Tom [expletive] Emanski’ [Full Count]

How the Yankees finally got to Jon Lester [Full Count]

Boone Logan outsmarts Adrian Gonzalez for one night [Full Count]

There’s A Message In Yankees’ Win Over Red Sox [Hartford Courant]

Video: Jon Lester Credits Yankees for Good At-Bats in Sixth Inning, Says Walks Will ‘Kill You Every Time’ [NESN.com]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Receives Some Unexpected Pitches From Boone Logan During Fifth-Inning Strikeout, Says He Couldn’t Hold Back [NESN.com]

Yankees Bullpen Shows Its Strength in Series-Opening Win Over Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox Hoping to Avoid Repeat of Recent Second-Half Woes Against Yankees [NESN.com]

New York ovecomes early deficit, takes over first place in A.L. East [Providence Journal]

Papelbon putting it all together at the right time [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lowrie set to return on Monday [Providence Journal]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.

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

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 8/6

Paw Prints The 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 some of the other sports. 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

With UConn Offer In Hand Casey Cochran Close To Decision [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Jack Cochran Talks About Not-So-Tall Quarterbacks [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Football Opens 2011 Preseason Camp [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Offers Scholarship To Masuk QB Casey Cochran [Hartford Courant]

UConn football team trying to attract in-state talent [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Top UConn Players in the NBA [UConn Huskies Basketball]

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

Destination Red Sox Nation – 8/6

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 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

The Book: Jose Iglesias [SoxProspects.com]

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

Newcomer Brett Carroll’s 2-run single gave the PawSox a 6-5 walkoff win over the Buffalo Bison.

PawSox Walk-Off Yet Again, 6-5 Over Buffalo [PawSox.com]

Another walk-off for Pawtucket [Providence Journal]

Buffalo Bison @ Pawtucket Red Sox 8.5.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2011 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs managed just three hits in a 5-0 loss to the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Flying Squirrels Breeze Past Sea Dogs [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

One big inning, one hearty wind [Portland Press Herald]

Chih-Hsien Chiang Named Eastern League Player of the Month [OurSports Central]

Portland Sea Dogs @ Richmond Flying Squirrels 8.5.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2011 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

The Kinston Indians spanked Salem 10-2.

Kinston routs Salem to end win streak [Roanoke Times]

Ebert whiffs four batters in one inning [Roanoke Times]

Sloppy Salem Sees Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped [OurSports Central]

Salem Red Sox @ Kinston Indians 8.5.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2011 Roster

Salem Red Sox stats

Carolina League standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

greenville drive Greenville Drive:

Brandon Jacobs walkoff RBI single in the 11th gave the Drive an 11-10 win over the Lexington Legends.

Drive Win See-Saw Battle with Legends, 11-10, in 11 Innings [OurSports Central]

Lexington Legends @ Greenville Drive 8.5.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2011 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

lowell spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Connecticut Tigers scored four runs in the 1st on their way to a 6-1 win over the Spinners.

No Fireworks for Spinners in Loss [LowellSpinners.com]

Roberson is doing his best to catch on with Spinners [Lowell Sun]

Connecticut Tigers @ Lowell Spinners 8.5.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners stats

NY-Penn League Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

Three late runs helped the GCL Red Sox to an 8-6 win over the GCL Twins.

GCL Red Sox @ GCL Twins 8.5.11 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

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

Notes From Patriots Camp – 8/5

In The Red Zone

Let’s start with the Friday roster moves made by the New England Patriots.  They announced that they signed DE Mark Anderson to a contract.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Anderson started his career with the Chicago Bears where as a rookie in 2006 he had 12.5 sacks. The Bears released the 6’4” 255 lb. Tulsa OK native during the season in 2010 and he finished the last 11 games with the Houston Texans where he started two games.

Anderson who played his college ball at Alabama was a 5th round pick of Chicago in the 2006 NFL Draft.  In his career he has 119 tackles, 5 forced fumbles and 23.5 sacks.  He is expected to compete for time at defensive end with Eric Moore and Jermaine Cunningham.

In order to accommodate the move the Patriots released DL Marlon Favorite who was signed to the practice squad in January 2011.  Favorite, an undrafted free agent from LSU, has never appeared in a regular season or post season NFL game.  He has been on the practice squad for the Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts in addition to the Patriots since 2009.

Favorite also saw time with the Hartford (CT) Colonials of the UFL.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

The Friday practice session saw no DL Mike Wright, LB Brandon Spikes, OT Matt Light or DT Albert Haynesworth.  There was no word on why they missed the session, which was run in full pads.  Several others missed the sessions with various injuries.

A couple notations from practice, G Logan Mankins was reportedly throwing people all over the place which bodes very well for QB Tom Brady while DT Kyle Love was steadfast in the goal line stand drill not allowing any movement at all while clogging the middle with DT Vince Wilfork.

It was mentioned that the receivers, as a group, had a better day today after several bad drops the last few days.  They still have work to do.

Brady met with the media after practice and said that there’s a lot of work to do in a short period of time, especially in getting timing with the receivers and he also said that that was the first time they ran the goal line plays this year.  Last year the goal line plays were put in during spring OTA’s.

A couple of contract notes, the new deal RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis signed was a one-year $1.835 million RFA tender not an extension.  Chad Ochocinco didn’t redo his deal he has one-year left at $6 million then he is a free agent and Albert Haynesworth’s base salaries the next four-years are $5.4 million in 2011; $6.7 million in 2012; $8.5 million in 2013; and $10.3 million in 2014.  While according to the NFLPA Matt Light has a $1 million base in 2011 and a $3.4 million base in 2012.

I forgot to mention that Connecticut native Eric Mangini has joined ESPN as a football analyst.  This is kind of hysterical and really an odd job choice for the former Patriots defensive coordinator and head coach of the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns seeing as he has a natural disdain for the media.

Former Patriots QB Kevin O’Connell signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins who appear unsure if they want Chad Henne calling the signals in 2011.  This could be good for O’Connell maybe he will get a chance to challenge for the starting spot.

The Patriots announced their practice schedule.

Saturday

Practice will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Patriots Experience will be open from Noon until 5 p.m.

Next Week

The team will hold public practices the schedule is TBA.

For all the latest training camp information go to patriots.com/trainingcamp or call 508.549.0041.

Stay with Sox & Dawgs for all the latest Patriots news.  We will post larger signings and trades as soon as we can and will recap the minor moves near the end of the day.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem