Red Sox Gameday Open Thread – Rays 7/6
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Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays |
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Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 7/6 [SOX & Dawgs]
Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 7/6
After a tough loss last night, the Boston Red Sox will look to get back into second place with a win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in game two of a three-game set.
Tonight’s game will start at 7:10 p.m. and will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market. The game will be shown on Sun Sports in the Rays television market. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as the game will be on the MLB Network. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2010 Red Sox radio network.
Felix Doubront takes the place of Red Sox All-Star starter Clay Buchholz, who was placed on the disabled list yesterday. This will be the second big league start for Doubront. He was a winner in his first start back on June 16th at Fenway Park where he allowed three runs in five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jeff Niemann has made 16 starts in 2010 for skipper Joe Maddon. In those starts, he is 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox and picked up the win on Patriot’s Day when he allowed two runs over seven innings. This will be his third career start against the Red Sox and he has a 1-1 record with a 6.30 ERA.
Lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, and links after the jump.
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| 1. Marco Scutaro | SS | 1. Justin Upton | CF |
| 2. Eric Patterson | CF | 2. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 3. David Ortiz | DH | 3. Evan Longoria | 3B |
| 4. Kevin Youkilis | 1B | 4. Willy Aybar | DH |
| 5. Adrian Beltre | 3B | 5. Gabe Kapler | RF |
| 6. J.D. Drew | RF | 6. Sean Rodriguez | 2B |
| 7. Daniel Nava | LF | 7. Carlos Peña | 1B |
| 8. Bill Hall | 2B | 8. John Jaso | C |
| 9. Kevin Cash | C | 9. Jason Bartlett | SS |
| Felix Doubront | SP | Jeff Niemann | SP |
49-34And here is the how hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:
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Cincinnati pulling for Youkilis, too [Clubhouse Insider]
Beckett throws 65 pitches in simulated game [Clubhouse Insider]
Next step for Beckett: Sunday in Pawtucket [Clubhouse Insider]
Youkilis appreciates hometown support [Clubhouse Insider]
Ortiz to compete in Home Run Derby [Clubhouse Insider]
Beckett shines in simulated game, gets ready for rehab start Sunday in Pawtucket [CSN New England]
Ortiz selected for Home Run Derby [CSN New England]
Ortiz will take part in home run derby [ESPN Boston]
Ellsbury could join team in Toronto (though not to play); Beckett rehab start on Sunday [ESPN Boston]
Good production at a deep discount [Extra Bases]
Sen. Kerry stumps for Youk [Extra Bases]
Pregame news and notes from Tropicana Field [Extra Bases]
Beckett felt great on mound [Extra Bases]
Sox looking for relief [Extra Bases]
Youkilis on D&H: Fan support ‘means a lot to me’ [Full Count]
Sox catching depth on the upswing? [Full Count]
Notes: Beckett optimistic after simulated game [Full Count]
Ortiz officially headed to Home Run Derby [Full Count]
Terry Francona’s Calm Clubhouse an Example of Perfect Stress Management [NESN.com]
Nick Swisher Launches Embarrassing Campaign, Begs Celebs Like LeBron James for All-Star Vote [NESN.com]
David Ortiz Not Concerned About Home Run Derby Affecting His Swing [NESN.com]
Josh Beckett on Schedule to Return to Red Sox Lineup After All-Star Break [NESN.com]
Anthony Ranaudo, 39th Overall Pick and Scott Boras Client, Playing Hardball With Red Sox [NESN.com]
Boxscore Breakdown: Short Starts and High Pitch Innings [Nuggetpalooza]
40-man roster almost entirely in Boston [Projo Sox Blog]
Beckett throws 65 pitches in simulated game [Projo Sox Blog]
Wagner returns to PawSox, Bowden to bullpen [Projo Sox Blog]
Beckett to pitch Sunday at McCoy [Projo Sox Blog]
Hermida takes live batting practice [Projo Sox Blog]
Ellsbury could rejoin Red Sox in Toronto [Projo Sox Blog]
Patterson has plenty of experience working counts [Projo Sox Blog]
Sox can’t seem to catch a break [RedSox.com]
Win A Free Copy of the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook
Bloguin and the fine folks at Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook are teaming up to give you a chance to win a free copy of the 2010 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, it is known as the “Bible” of college football and gives its readers the most thorough, up-to-date and timely evaluations of every Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. It also has a conference-by-conference breakdown as well as their Top 25.
So if you’re a college football die-hard like myself, this is the book that you want to have. If you’re interested in winning a free copy here from SOX & Dawgs, the contest is simple.
Just head over to my contact page and send me a message with BRCFY contest in the subject line. It’s that simple. I have two copies to give away. The winners will be chosen randomly. One entry per person will be accepted through July 13th with the winner being announced on July 14th. You are not responsible for the shipping costs as I will cover those. All you need to do is enter.
For those UConn Huskies fans out there, here is what the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook has to say (click on PDF file below):
Youk Takes Lead in AL All-Star Final Vote After Day 2
Okay Red Sox Nation, let’s keep those votes rolling in to keep Boston Red Sox first baseman on top so he can join his teammates in Anaheim for the 2010 MLB All-Star Game on July 13th.
After trailing New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher after the first day of voting, Youk has moved into first place in the AL All-Star final vote. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto still leads Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the National League side of things.
Let’s not disappoint Youk, folks. We didn’t get any Red Sox starters in the game but let’s show the players and Youk especially, that we care and want him there. Do your part and keep Youk at the top, vote now!!!! And don’t forget, the Red Sox and Reds have teamed up for a Youkilis/Votto ticket so show your support for Votto in the National League when voting.
Here’s how the first two days of voting look:
American League:
- Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
- Nick Swisher, Yankees
- Michael Young, Rangers
- Paul Konerko, White Sox
- Delmon Young, Twins
National League:
- Joey Votto, Reds
- Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
- Billy Wagner, Braves
- Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
- Heath Bell, Padres
Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 7/6
Daisuke Matsuzaka could be the most frustrating pitcher that I’ve ever seen pitch for the Boston Red Sox.
There’s been times this season (almost no-hitter against Philadelphia Phillies) where he’s completely baffled the hitters. There’s been times where he’s had one bad inning but then looked dominating. And then there’s been times like last night where he’s completely looked lost.
Sure he might be out of his comfort zone a little without Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek behind the plate, but that’s no excuse.
In last night’s 6-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Matsuzaka was staked to a 5-1 lead behind two home runs by Eric Patterson. But he came unglued in the 5th and 6th innings where he allowed two runs per inning.
His big mistake though came in the 6th when he botched a bunt play.
The Rays had runners on first and second with no outs and were willing to give up an out with a bunt by Jason Bartlett. The Red Sox had Adrian Beltre charging from third, Kevin Youkilis from first with Marco Scutaro covering short and Bill Hall covering first. Bartlett’s bunt went to Dice-K who initially looked at third to find no one covering and he didn’t even attempt a throw to first.
It’s obvious he forgot which bunt play was on because it ended up costing him on the next batter as John Jaso singled in the tying runs.
The Red Sox have a $103.1 million investment in Matsuzaka. The returns have not been consistently good. As I said above, he’s shown flashes of brilliance and he’s shown flashes of all out suckiness. But the one thing he’s lacking is consistency in being good. You have to wonder how much longer the Red Sox brass will tolerate this.
Remember we’re talking about a pitcher who dominated hitters in Japan and one who’s led Japan to two World Baseball Classic title and two WBC MVP’s. The question is will we ever see that in Boston from him.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and links from the day, but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.
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Sox stung by this loss [Boston Globe]
You wonder when it’ll start to pay off [Boston Globe]
Catcher Martinez hasn’t received call from team [Boston Globe]
As expected, Buchholz on DL [Boston Globe]
Recap: Rays 6, Red Sox 5 [Boston Herald]
No more of this, Daisuke Matsuzaka [Boston Herald]
Kevin Cash earns credit for owning Randy Johnson [Boston Herald]
David Ortiz hopeful for Home Run Derby shot [Boston Herald]
Okajima was unavailable [Clubhouse Insider]
Dice-K, Sox lose opener in Tampa [CSN New England]
Okajima bothered by back issues [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Rays 6, Red Sox 5 [Full Count]
Ortiz sees his fears slide away [Full Count]
Youkilis has unlikely ally in All-Star push [Full Count]
Red Sox Can Rely on Kevin Cash Behind the Plate [NESN.com]
Daisuke Matsuzaka ‘Just Didn’t Have the Pitches When He Needed to Have Them’ [NESN.com]
David Ortiz Ready to Participate in Home Run Derby [NESN.com]
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox Run Out of Magic in Tampa Bay [NESN.com]
Kevin Youkilis Featured With Likes of Barack Obama, Jerry Springer [NESN.com]
Kevin Youkilis’ Impressive Slugging Not Enough For An All-Star Roster Spot [NESN.com]
Matsuzaka, Red Sox blow 5-1 lead, fall to third place in A.L. East [Providence Journal]
Botched bunt play looms large for Matsuzaka [Providence Journal]
Scott Atchison rediscovers his curveball, and secures his spot in Red Sox’ bullpen [Providence Journal]
Beckett getting stronger; Lowell’s future an open question [Providence Journal]
Buchholz goes on DL; Doubront ready to pitch for Red Sox on Tuesday [Providence Journal]
Papi would participate in Derby if asked [RedSox.com]
Beckett will pitch rain or shine on Tuesday [RedSox.com]
Lowell won’t be activated this week [RedSox.com]
Patterson’s long balls not enough vs. Rays [RedSox.com]
Red Sox going all-out to promote Youk [RedSox.com]
Bard’s message for Sox fans: ‘I feel good’ [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
Just wondering: At what point do odds catch up with Red Sox? [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying, head over to the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times websites.
Photo credit: Reuters Pictures
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 7/6
Since we were away for a few days, we’ve missed a lot of the UConn Huskies news. So what I’m going to do is link to everything that’s been missed. I know some of it might be old news but it’s quite possible you didn’t see it.
Links coming up after the jump.
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UConn Football links
Edsall updates the program [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]
Evening With Randy Edsall Aug. 5 [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
DC answered some questions in his mailbag as well [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Aiken, Generett not with team [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]
Early Week 1 preview: Connecticut [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]
Summer, Summer, Summer time [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]
Edsall summer update [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]
Aiken, Generett out for 2010 [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
UConn losing two redshirt freshman reserves [CT Post]
Aiken Dismissed From UConn, Hopes To Return [Hartford Courant]
UConn Homicide Suspect’s Uncle Arrested [Hartford Courant]
UConn Football Program One Of Few BCS Money-Losers In 2008-09 [Hartford Courant]
Depth takes a hit [New Haven Register]
More charges for suspect in UConn stabbing case [Norwich Bulletin]
Edsall says defender needs to work harder [Norwich Bulletin]
More charges for suspect in UConn stabbing case [The Republican-American]
UConn’s Aiken dismissed from school [The Republican-American]
Blue Ribbon Preview: Connecticut Huskies [ESPN Insider]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Charles, Montgomery, Moore make U.S. squad [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]
UConn flavors Team USA roster against WNBA All-Stars [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]
Six Huskies Will Play For USA Against WNBA Stars [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
Moore To Play For Team USA At Mohegan Sun Arena July 10 [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
Recruiting Wide-Open For Top-Ranked Stewart [Rich Elliott – CT Post]
National team has Husky look [Journal Inquirer]
U.S. national team roster has Connecticut flavor [Norwich Bulletin]
Addition of Charles gives Sun dominating front line [The Republican-American]
With Y.O.U., Charde Houston wants girls to dream big [Minneapolis Star Tribune]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
UConn’s New ‘Utility Man’ [David Borges – New Haven Register]
Donyell Marshall Named Assistant Coach At George Washington [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
Doug Wiggins Trying To Redeem Himself [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
Rudy Gay Signs Five-Year Deal With Memphis [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
Kevin Ollie’s Career Stats [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
Glen Miller On Being Hired By UConn [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
Jim Calhoun On Hiring Kevin Ollie and Glen Miller [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]
It’s Miller time [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
Looking Back: UConn 2004 Championship [UConn Huskies Basketball]
Player Profile: Jamal Coombs-McDaniel [UConn Huskies Basketball]
UConn hires Ollie, Miller for basketball coaching staff [CT Post]
Marshall joining George Washington as assistant coach [CT Post]
Doug Wiggins Works Out At UConn; Realizes He’s Blown Chances [Hartford Courant]
Miller In Position To Help In Storrs [Hartford Courant]
UConn welcomes back Ollie, Miller [New Haven Register]
For Miller, now it’s back to the future [New Haven Register]
Majok improving basketball IQ [The Day]
Old hands return to the fold [The Day]
Ollie, Miller named assistants at UConn [The Republican-American]
Magic draft pick Stanley Robinson understands hard work [Orlando Sentinel]
Destination Red Sox Nation – 7/6
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
Players of the Month, June: Ryan Lavarnway & Kyle Weiland [SoxProspects.com]
Sox sign 25th rounder Lockwood [SoxProspects.com]
June minor league report [ESPN Boston]
He’d love the call, but he’s not waiting on it [Portland Press Herald]
Pawtucket Red Sox
Fabio Castro’s first start since May didn’t go so well in the Pawsox’s 8-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
PawSox can’t hold down IronPigs in 8-2 defeat [Providence Journal]
PawSox Go Down in the Valley [OurSports Central]
Pawtucket Red Sox @ Lehigh Valley IronPigs 7.5.10 box score [MiLB.com]
International League standings
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats got two in the 8th to beat the Sea Dogs 5-3.
A mound of trouble [Portland Press Herald]
Hadlock Headlines [Central Maine Sports Blog]
Fisher Cats Provide the Fireworks, Dogs Fall 5-3 [OurSports Central]
New Hampshire Fisher Cats @ Portland Sea Dogs 7.5.10 box score [MiLB.com]
Salem Red Sox:
Will Middlebrooks had three hits and five RBIs in Salem’s 10-6 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Middlebrooks’ Slam, 5 RBI Lead Sox to 10-6 Win [OurSports Central]
Salem Red Sox @ Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7.5.10 box score [MiLB.com]
The Drive couldn’t rally from an early deficit in a 5-2 loss to the Kannapolis Intimidators.
Three home runs blast Intimidators to 5-2 win [OurSports Central]
Greenville Drive @ Kannapolis Intimidators 7.5.10 box score [MiLB.com]
South Atlantic League standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Spinners couldn’t hold an early lead in a 9-6 loss to the Aberdeen IronBirds.
Spinners fall in slugfest; Lowrie returns [LowellSpinners.com]
Lowell Spinners @ Aberdeen IronBirds 7.5.10 box score [MiLB.com]
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Orioles beat the GCL Red Sox 6-2.
GCL Orioles @ GCL Red Sox 7.5.10 box score [MiLB.com]
Video: Papelbon & Pedroia Run On Dunkin’
Here is the third of the three Dunkin Donuts commercials that feature Boston Red Sox players. In this one, both Jonathan Papelbon and Dustin Pedroia are featured.
Here’s the video for you to enjoy:
{flowplayer}http://ianbethune.com/pedeypaps2010.flv{/flowplayer}
The first Dunkin Donuts commercial this year featured Papelbon while the second one featured Pedroia.
And if you’re interested in a Boston runs on Dustin t-shirt, head over to our Bloguin brother, The Bottom Line, to purchase one.
Video: Jon Lester Olympia Sports Ad
Here’s the new Olympia Sports ad featuring Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester and Boston comedian Jimmy Dunn. By the way, Lester is the first Red Sox player to do an Olympia Sports ad since Justin Masterson did one back in 2008.