After a dramatic comeback victory last night, the Boston Red Sox will look to salvage a split of their four-game set with the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.

This afternoon’s game will start at 1:35 p.m. and will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest in the Rangers television market. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2010 Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester makes his first start since the All-Star break for the Red Sox and Terry Francona. In 18 starts, Lester is 11-3 with a 2.74 ERA and he hasn’t faced the Rangers in 2010. He’s made five career starts against them though and is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA.

C.J. Wilson makes his 19th start of the season. In his previous 18 starts, he is 7-5 with a 3.35 ERA. He’s faced the Red Sox this year, picking up the win back on 4/22 after allowing no runs over 6 2/3 innings. Overall in his career, he’s made 13 appearances (one start) against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with three saves and a 1.56 ERA. He’s made seven appearances (one start) at Fenway Park and is 1-1 with one save and a 1.86 ERA.

Keep reading for lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and pregame links.

Here’s the hitters have fared against this evening’s starting pitchers in their careers:

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

Bowden to the rescue? [Clubhouse Insider]

Bowden called up; Molina desginated [Extra Bases]

Francona to meet with Beckett; Hermida close [Extra Bases]

The one pitch Lee could have back [Full Count]

Brown gets first career start [Full Count]

Bowden looking to pen new start [Full Count]

Red Sox Rotation Almost Healed with Clay Buchholz Returning, Josh Beckett Close [NESN.com]

Michael Bowden’s Transition to Bullpen Gives Him Big-League Potential [NESN.com]

Drew sits against Wilson [Projo Sox Blog]

Hermida headed to McCoy Monday [Projo Sox Blog]

Bowden recalled with a chance to stick for good [Projo Sox Blog]

Photo credit: Getty Images, AP Photo

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.

Thank you for stopping and by 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

UConn’s Hathaway Addresses Football Program Deficit [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Williams continues to dominate for U-17 team [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Luggage nightmare for the Dream [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Mosqueda-Lewis, U.S. rout Canada [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

What’s It Like Working For Geno Auriemma? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Kevin Ollie On His Camp And His Job At UConn [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Rudy Gay To Train With Team USA [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Roscoe Smith Debuts At Greater Hartford Pro-Am [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Ollie Hopes To Bring Some Old-Time Spark To UConn [Hartford Courant]

UConn prepares its response to NCAA allegations [The Republican-American]

After being moved to the bullpen for the Pawtucket Red Sox in anticipation of a callup to the big club, the moment has finally happened for Michael Bowden.

The Red Sox have recalled Bowden this morning and they have designated catcher Gustavo Molina for assignment.

In 20 appearances (16 starts) for the PawSox, Bowden is 6-3 with a save and a 3.52 ERA. Since being moved to the bullpen, he’s allowed one hit over six innings while picking up two wins and a save.

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 are after the jump.

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

Revolving door [Boston Globe]

SoxProspects.com: Q & A with Vitek [ESPN Boston]

Sox prospect Head looks to grow as hitter [Full Count]

Big career choices came early for Kelly [New Haven Register]

Red Sox Prospects Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson Swinging Hot Bats [NESN.com]

Shuffling on up, shuffling on down: That’s the Sox [Portland Press Herald]

Pawtucket Red Sox

A five-run 7th helped the Syracuse Chiefs to a 9-5 win over the PawSox.

Beckett still trying to get sharp after second rehab start [Providence Journal]

Beckett pitches and PawSox lose in the ‘Cuse [OurSports Central]

Pawtucket Red Sox @ Syracuse Chiefs 7.17.10 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket 2010 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

A six-run 1st inning propeled the Sea Dogs to an 11-3 win over the New Britain Rock Cats.

Six-run first inning helps Dogs end skid [Portland Press Herald]

Sea Dogs Rock New Britain, 11-3 [OurSports Central]

Hadlock Headlines [Central Maine Sports Blog]

Portland Sea Dogs @ New Britain Rock Cats 7.17.10 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland 2010 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

Despite being outhit 23-12, Salem pulled off a 10-9 win over the Winston-Salem Dash.

Red Sox hold off the Dash [Roanoke Times]

Red Sox Overcome 23 Dash Hits to Win 10-9 [OurSports Central]

Winston-Salem Dash @ Salem Red Sox 7.17.10 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem 2010 Roster

Salem Red Sox stats

Carolina League standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

The Drive held off a Savannah Sand Gnats rally in a 4-2 win.

Strong Pitching Leads Drive Past Sand Gnats, 4-2 [OurSports Central]

Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 7.17.10 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville 2010 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners returned home and fell to the Aberdeen Ironbirds 6-3.

Spinners beaten in 9th inning [Lowell Sun]

Win goes POP for Spinners in 9th, lose in 10th [LowellSpinners.com]

Aberdeen Ironbirds @ Lowell Spinners 7.17.10 box score [MiLB.com]

Lowell Spinners 2010 Roster

Lowell Spinners stats

NY-Penn League Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Twins beat the GCL Red Sox 7-3.

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox 7.17.10 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Red Sox 2010 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

On Friday night, it was an error by Felix Doubront (actually two) that helped the Texas Rangers to a win. On Saturday night, it was a pitching error by Alexi Ogando that spurred the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 win in 11 innings.

It started out as a pitching duel between John Lackey and Cliff Lee with the Red Sox getting an early run in the 1st inning. The Rangers got to Lackey for two runs in the 6th and it stayed that way until the bottom of the 9th when the Red Sox rallied to tie it up.

The 9th started with a Marco Scutaro single and then a sacrifice bunt by Darnell McDonald that advanced Scutaro to second. A David Ortiz ground out moved Scu Scu Scutaro over to third and he came home on a rope down the third base line by Kevin Youkilis.

The Red Sox did have a chance to win the game in the 10th but Nelson Cruz took away a home run from Mike Cameron.

The fateful 11th started much like the 9th inning did.

Scutaro led off with a single and went to second on a McDonald sacrifice bunt. The only difference this time was the fact that Ogando tried to get Scutaro at second only to him with the throw and it carommed into left field allowing Scutaro to get to third and McDonald to second. Ogando intentionally walked Big Papi and gave way to Darren O’Day.

O’Day fell behind Youk and on a 2-1 count, he drove a fastball to center field that brought in Scutaro with the winning run that gave the Red Sox a hard fought and much needed win.

As I stated yesterday morning, the bullpen needed to step up its game for the Red Sox. The situation presented itself perfectly on Saturday night as Daniel Bard worked the 8th allowing just a walk but erased the runner on a double play. And then Jonathan Papelbon worked two perfect innings before giving way to Manny Delcarmen, who was activated earlier in the day.

Delcarmen was the old MDC as he was perfect in his inning setting the stage for Youk’s heroics.

The Red Sox made another move on Saturday as they optioned Felix Doubront back to Triple-A Pawtucket. They brought up another catcher in Dusty Brown, who’ll catch Jon Lester on Sunday, and that gives the Red Sox three catchers on their roster. While some may question it, it does give Terry Francona a little flexibility with what to do if he needs to pinch-hit for his catcher.

With Clay Buchholz making his next start with the Red Sox on the west coast swing, they essentially had an extra roster spot and obviously Francona felt it was better served by having the third catcher.

And finally, Josh Beckett made his second rehab start for the PawSox on Saturday night. He ended up going 4+ innings, allowing three runs on five hits. But the most important thing is that he felt fine afterwards. He’ll head back to Boston  where he’ll be evaluated and find out if he’ll have one more rehab start or rejoin the Red Sox rotation.

We’ll be back in a short while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

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

Youkilis delivers for Sox [Boston Globe]

Lowell prepared to put ailing hip to the test [Boston Globe]

Beckett aims for consistency [Boston Globe]

Lackey gets the job done [Boston Globe]

Things picked up along the way [Boston Globe]

Revolving door [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez likely is gonzo, it’s now a matter of when [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 3, Rangers 2 [Boston Herald]

Timely rehab on tap for Mike Lowell [Boston Herald]

Mike Lowell waits for any sign [Boston Herald]

John Lackey opens second half in impressive style [Boston Herald]

Thrown into fire, Manny Delcarmen responds [Boston Herald]

Throwing risers [Boston Herald]

Sox walk off with 3-2 win [CSN New England]

A few dis’n’dats on the game [ESPN Boston]

Uplifting victory for the Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox 3, Rangers 2 (11 innings) [Full Count]

Offensive hero Youkilis not concerned with who’s on mound [Full Count]

Season Defining Win? [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

John Lackey ‘Tremendous’ for Red Sox In Comeback Extra-Inning Win [NESN.com]

Will Jon Lester Win the AL Cy Young Award With Strong Second Half? [NESN.com]

Youkilis’ bat helps Boston rally past Texas [Providence Journal]

Lackey at his best against old rivals [Providence Journal]

Buchholz to make his return on Wednesday [Providence Journal]

Bowden making a case for Boston to give him a call [Providence Journal]

Where have all the pink hats gone this year? [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lowell to start rehab assignment next week [Providence Journal]

Lowell to begin rehab stint Thursday [RedSox.com]

Catcher Brown joins active roster [RedSox.com]

Sox announce fan-friendly initiatives [RedSox.com]

Buchholz starts Wednesday; Delcarmen back [RedSox.com]

Beckett pitches four innings in rehab outing [RedSox.com]

Youk ties it in ninth, wins it in 11th on sac fly [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram websites.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Two throwing errors by Boston Red Sox starter Felix Doubront may have been all that stood between a victory over the Texas Rangers last night. And it was the second throwing error that was crucial to the outcome of the game.

Michael Young had led off the fifth with a single and after an Ian Kinsler pop out, Young went to second on a wild pitch from Doubront. Vlad Guerrero followed with a rope down the third base line that Adrian Beltre stopped but that’s all he could do. Doubront then got Josh  Hamilton to line back to him but as he tried to double off Young at second, he stumbled and his throw went into the outfield allowing both runners to advance a base.

Had Doubront made the throw, the game may have turned out different but he didn’t and everything else came unraveled.

Fernando Cabrera came in and allowed back-to-back walks with the second one to Daniel Murphy forcing in a run to tie the game at 3-3. Cabrera then hung a breaking ball to Bengie Molina who put it over the wall for a grand slam.

While the grand slam by Molina might have been the worst part of the night, you could equally rank the fact that Molina ended up hitting for the cycle in the game right up there. Molina came up in the 8th needing the triple for the cycle and hit a fly ball to the deepest part of Fenway that went off the glove of center fielder Eric Patterson. Molina, who may be the slowest runner in all of Major League Baseball, lumbered into third with a standup triple. Of course a few minutes later, he left the game with a tight quad from all that running.

Cabrera by the way was designated for assignment after the game to make room for Manny Delcarmen who’ll be activated before the game tonight. Skipper Terry Francona also said that there might be a few other roster moves as the Red Sox try to shake things up a little.

It’s quite obvious the Red Sox need bullpen help and while Delcarmen will help a little,  they need everyone to be consistent. And they aren’t getting that from everyone except for Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon. It will also help to get Clay Buchholz and Josh Beckett back. They might be able to eat up a few more innings to help eliminate the need for the bullpen or not as much of it during their starts.

Buchholz by the way pitched well last night in his rehab start and Beckett will be making the start for Pawtucket tonight. Let’s hope he comes through with flying colors as well as the Red Sox surely need him.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and any links from the day.

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

And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram websites.

Photo credit: AP Photo