John Lackey should be pretty happy that the Boston Red Sox offense has been able to pick him up because right now he’s just not cutting the mustard. The Oakland A’s came into the game as one of the hottest teams in baseball and it showed early on at Fenway Park on Tuesday night.

While he was able to pick up his sixth win of the season, Lackey wasn’t fooling anyone on the A’s last night. He allowed four runs on 12 hits and four walks with just two strikeouts. He really hasn’t pitched to his ability just yet so when he does, it could be lights out for opposing hitters.

I’m sure that he was thanking Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez last night for their spectacular nights at the plate that helped spurn the Red Sox rally from 4-0 to the final margin of 9-4.

Beltre got things going for the Red Sox with a 3-run homer that was part of his three-hit night. But leave it to VMart to upstage Beltre as he had four doubles as part of a five-hit, two RBI night.

With no immediate date in sight for return of the Josh Beckett to the Red Sox rotation, they need Lackey to be at the top of his game. They are getting quality start after quality start from Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. And unfortunately they just don’t know what they’re going to get from Daisuke Matsuzaka and at times, Tim Wakefield.

Lackey’s been hit hard at Fenway Park as opposing hitters are hitting .308 off of him and has an ERA there of 5.60. His road numbers aren’t much better as teams are hitting .290 with an ERA of 4.22. His walks to strikeout ratio at home is 12/23 while on the road it’s 20/16. Not what you expected from a guy you’re paying $82.5 million of the course of the next five years.

It will come folks or at least we hope it better.

I do love the resilency of this team though as it doesn’t seem to matter if they are down anymore. They’ve been able to battle back and make it a game again lately. This bodes well going forward.

While the Red Sox weren’t able to pick up any ground on the first place Rays or second place Yankees, they are now just a ½ game out of third since the Blue Jays fell to the Rays. While you’d rather see the Rays and Yankees lose, at least they gained against the Jays.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links and news from the day but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

The unexpected force: Beltre emerges as key lineup member [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Lackey is lacking again, but Sox pick up the slack [Boston Globe]

A high-five for red-hot Martinez [Boston Globe]

Bruised Cameron needs further testing [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 9, Athletics 4 [Boston Herald]

Mike Cameron’s sore again [Boston Herald]

Celtics fan Terry Francona likes how Doc Rivers operates [Boston Herald]

In long run, John Lackey expects more [Boston Herald]

West Roxbury kids learn how to play like Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Papi on Beltre: ‘He’s got power like no one here’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox come back to beat A’s, 9-4 [CSN New England]

Cameron to meet with specialists on Wednesday [CSN New England]

Jacoby Ellsbury’s Absence Hurting Red Sox, Even During Winning Streaks [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Lackey: The good run still to come [ESPN Boston]

Lowell drawing some interest [ESPN Boston]

Martinez makes a little history [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox 9, A’s 4 [Full Count]

Pedroia shows signs of a turnaround [Full Count]

Cameron to see specialist amidst ongoing abdominal woes [Full Count]

Boxscore Breakdown – Tuesday’s Comeback Win [Full Count]

John Lackey Less Than Pleased With Personal Numbers But Happy With Win [NESN.com]

Victor Martinez Doubles Down at the Dish, Paces Red Sox Past A’s With Historic Performance [NESN.com]

Beckett to have conversation Wednesday with staff [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox 9, Athletics 4: Five hits for Martinez [Providence Journal]

Another underwhelming performance for Lackey [Providence Journal]

Cameron to see a specialist on Wednesday [Providence Journal]

Defense finally gets its act together [Providence Journal]

Red Sox journal: Francona rooting for Rivers, Celts [Providence Journal]

Francona rooting for Doc, Celtics [RedSox.com]

Cameron to see specialist about pain [RedSox.com]

Sox now approaching the tinkering time [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 read the enemy papers, you can check out the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News websites.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Connecticut men’s and women’s ice hockey teams will be playing an outdoor doubleheader at Rentschler Field in East Hartford on Sunday, Feb. 13 as part of the “Whalers Hockey Fest”. The announcement was made on Wednesday as part of the unveiling of the event by Whalers Sports and Entertainment.

The UConn men’s team will take on Sacred Heart in an Atlantic Hockey contest followed by the women’s team facing Providence in a Hockey East game. Game times will be announced at a later date.

“The University of Connecticut is excited to participate in this celebration of hockey in Hartford,” says UConn Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway. “We thank Howard Baldwin and Whalers Sports and Entertainment for incorporating a `UConn Day’ as part of the `Whalers Hockey Fest’. This is a special opportunity to spotlight our men’s and women’s hockey programs. In addition, it will be a memorable experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fans. Given the close proximity of the participating teams, we hope that UConn supporters as well as hockey fans throughout the region will make plans to join us for this unique event at Rentschler Field.”

Rentschler Field is the 40,000-seat home of the UConn football team. It is owned by the State of Connecticut and managed by Bushnell Management Services.

“It’s very fitting that the UConn men’s ice hockey program is involved in the Whalers Hockey Fest,” said Husky head coach Bruce Marshall. “We just celebrated the 50th anniversary of our program and many of the early games of our team were played outdoors. In addition, Todd Krygier, one of our program’s most prominent alumni, played for the Whalers for two seasons. We are hoping that the success and exposure that Rentschler Field has provided for our football team will do the same that night for our men’s hockey team.”

The 10-day Whalers Hockey Fest could include as many as 20 outdoor games between professional, college, prep school and high school teams at Rentschler Field.

“I think this is an exciting opportunity to showcase UConn women’s ice hockey, and the sport in general in a fun and festive atmosphere,” says Husky head coach Heather Linstad. “It will be exciting for our student-athletes to say they played a game outdoors at Rentschler Field.”

Festival Tickets for the entire event can be purchased online at WhalersSports.com. Information on individual game tickets will be forthcoming.

Note: Artist rendering of Rentschler Field courtesy of Whaler Nation

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

UConn Football links

DC was busy getting predictions from all of the Big East Football beat writers from each city [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Big East mailbag [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

Post-spring position rankings: Secondary [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

Post-spring position rankings: Tight ends [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Information About Hall of Fame Induction Weekend [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Former Polk Prep stars reunite at charity event [Lakeland Ledger]

Recruiting battle of 2013 begins [ESPN HoopGurlz]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Heard it Through the Grapevine … [David Borges – New Haven Register]

“We Were Only Freshmen …” [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Calhoun: ‘Truth Will Win Out’ [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Darius Smith To Transfer; Niels Giffey On Campus [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Kevin Ollie On His Future [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun At Franciscan Life Sports Banquet [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Ollie already in? [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Handling the Handlers [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Rod Sellers Isn’t Buying It, Says Brother Got Raw Deal [Hartford Courant]

UConn Never Audited Records Of Calhoun’s Basketball Camp [Hartford Courant]

Kevin Ollie Could Be In Line For UConn Assistant Coach [Hartford Courant]

Calhoun’s down, but not out, says program will remain strong [New Haven Register]

Ollie expected to be named assistant at UConn [New Haven Register]

Ollie a good starting point [New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

Women’s Lacrosse: UConn’s Ashley Mitchelides Selected to IWLCA North Roster [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Baseball team has its eyes on the big prize [The Day]

Oakland A’s @ Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m. Fenway Park – Boston, MA SP: Gio Gonzalez vs John Lackey TV: NESN, MLB.tv Radio: Red Sox Radio Network

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 6/1 [SOX & Dawgs]

After a split of the four-game set with the Kansas City Royals, the Boston Red Sox welcome the Oakland A’s to town for a three-game set to close out the homestand at Fenway Park.

Tonight’s game will start at 7:10 p.m. and will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the A’s television market, you can catch the game on CSN California. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2010 Red Sox radio network.

John Lackey has had an up-and-down 2010 in his first season with the Red Sox as he’s struggled with his command at times. In ten starts, he is 5-3 with a 4.84 ERA. Lackey made three starts as a member of the Angels against the A’s in 2009 and was 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA. He’s made 29 career starts against the A’s and is 16-4 with a 2.76 ERA.

Gio Gonzalez makes his 11th start of the season for the A’s and Bob Geren. In his previous ten starts, he is 5-3 with a 3.54 ERA. He’s made one career start against the Red Sox and that came in 2009. The game took place on 7/30/09 at the Fens and Gonzalez received a no-decision after allowing three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

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

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

Here’s an update for the Red Sox concerning the weather forecast for tonight’s game:

The current weather forecast (provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Telvent DTN) in the vicinity of Fenway Park calls for showers and thunderstorms during the early afternoon and evening hours. Conditions are expected to improve as the evening progresses.

The Fenway Park gates will open at the regularly scheduled time of 5:10 p.m., and the Red Sox are hopeful that tonight’s game against the Oakland Athletics, which is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m., will begin on time. However, the Red Sox want to alert our fans to the current forecast and to the possibility of delay.

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

AL All-Star Voting Update – 6/1 [SOX & Dawgs]

Cameron feeling ‘a little sore’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Cameron out of lineup [CSN New England]

Scutaro’s problems are a pain in the neck [CSN New England]

Kalish promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket [ESPN Boston]

Cameron out, Ellsbury not close [ESPN Boston]

Whole lotta love for Doc from Tito [ESPN Boston]

Ask Amalie: Sunny times ahead for Sox? [Extra Bases]

Kalish promoted to Pawtucket [Extra Bases]

Cameron out with soreness [Extra Bases]

Francona bonds with Doc Rivers [Extra Bases]

Red Sox pre-game notes, 6/1 [Full Count]

Jacoby Ellsbury Responds to Criticisms of His Toughness [NESN.com]

Red Sox Could Call Upon Amherst High School Lefty Kevin Ziomek in MLB Draft [NESN.com]

Stretching Crucial to Being Able to Stay Fresh Behind the Plate for Jason Varitek [NESN.com]

Terry Francona: I’m a Big Doc Rivers Fan [NESN.com]

Cameron “sore,” getting extra day off [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury hitting in the cage, still hurting [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett discussion expected before Tuesday’s game [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona as excited as anyone about Celts’ run [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox’s Lackey, A’s renew acquaintances [RedSox.com]

Papi seeks return to All-Star Game [RedSox.com]

The second round of balloting for the American League All-Star voting is out and we still don’t find any members of the Boston Red Sox at the top. And with four weeks to go, we’ve got some voting to do to get them to the top.

The only player on the Red Sox near the top of the voting is second baseman Dustin Pedroia who is still 324,000 votes behind the leader Robinson Cano. And once again thanks to Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays who is preventing an all-Yankees infield right now.

First baseman Kevin Youkilis sits in fourth place 312,000 votes behind Mark Teixeira. Third baseman Adrian Beltre is in fourth place, 725,000 votes behind Longoria while Victor Martinez is 918,000 votes in third place behind Joe Mauer at the catching position. David Ortiz is 490,000 votes behind Vladimir Guererro in fourth place at the DH position.

None of the Red Sox outfielders are in the top 15 of the voting.

So fans of Red Sox Nation, it’s time to vote Red Sox across the 2010 MLB All-Star Game Ballot.

A full look at the voting totals after the jump.

Here are the voting totals as of 6/1/2010

Over the weekend for the Memorial Day holiday, the Boston Red Sox along with the rest of MLB wore special Stars & Stripes caps. This is something MLB has done over the past few years with a portion of the sale of the caps going to the Welcome Back Veterans fund.

Had the Red Sox wore pinstripes, they could have doubled for the Cincinnati Reds.

The caps will be worn again for the July 4th weekend as well as on 9/11.

So what do you think of the Red Sox Stars & Stripes cap? Would you buy one to wear? Or would you buy one for your collection or would you just stay with the traditional “B” cap?

After falling in the first two games to the Kansas City Royals, solid outings from Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester gave the Boston Red Sox wins to earn a split of the four-game set at Fenway Park. The two wins to close out the month gave the Red Sox 18 for the month and pushed their record to 29-23.

On June 1, 2009, the Red Sox were 29-22 after a strong April only to falter in May. They sat one game behind the New York Yankees in second place and one game ahead of the third place Toronto Blue Jays. On June 1, 2010, with an almost identical record, the Red Sox find themselves in fourth place, five games behind the Rays for first, 1½ games behind the Blue Jays for third and 2½ behind the Yankees for second.

One of the biggest differences between the two seasons is the Red Sox record at home. The Red Sox usually enjoy success at Fenway Park but this year they find themselves at 16-13 and are 13-10 on the road. Last year at this time, the Red Sox were 17-6 at the Fens but were 12-16 on the road. Home cooking just isn’t what it used to be for the Red Sox.

One reason why the Red Sox had a good month of May was because David Ortiz found his bat speed again.

He started off the month of April ice cold as he hit just .143 with one home run and four RBIs. But as he regained his confidence and the trust of skipper Terry Francona in May, Big Papi hit .363 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs. His average now sits at .272 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs and he’s been batting in the three spot as of late, a spot in the lineup he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Another reason for the hot May by the Red Sox is the left arm of Jon Lester.

After a tough April that saw him go 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA in five starts, Lester has completely turned the tables and been dominating lately. In six starts in May, he was 5-0 with a 1.84 ERA to push his record to 6-2 with a 2.97 ERA.

And we can’t leave out Clay Buchholz because if it weren’t for him, the Red Sox may have had even worse April.

In four starts in April, Buchholz was 2-2 with a 2.19 ERA. And in May, he’s been even better as he was 5-1 with a 3.08 ERA to give him a 7-3 record with a 2.73 ERA. Both of those totals lead the starters on the team. Buchholz has shown the faithful why Theo Epstein and the brain trust won’t move him.

After a month of April where the Red Sox were pretenders, Big Papi, Lester and Buchholz showed the rest of the league that the Red Sox are contenders in May. There’s still 110 games to go but if the Red Sox can continue to play good baseball, they should find themselves in a position at the end of the season to move on to the postseason.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and news and links from the day, but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

Bard Diary: Season’s up-and-downs [Daniel Bard – ESPN Boston]

Powerful statement from Red Sox prospects [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Lackey staying under control [Boston Globe]

All signs are positive for Beltre, Red Sox [Boston Globe]

Jacoby Ellsbury has hard time with soft label [Boston Herald]

Marco Scutaro eager to impress old boss [Boston Herald]

Pitching ignites Red Sox’ turnaround [Boston Herald]

Sox have turned around their nightmare start [CSN New England]

Manny moments on the rise [ESPN Boston]

Sox made hay in May [ESPN Boston]

Report: Sox trade Van Every to Pirates [Full Count]

Kalish promoted to Triple-A [Full Count]

The Factors – Week 8 [Full Count]

Portland Sea Dogs Pitcher Casey Kelly Struggles With Control Problems [NESN.com]

Which Red Sox Player Will Break Out Next? [NESN.com]

With Ellsbury out, Scutaro has provided stability atop Red Sox lineup [Providence Journal]

Look out, pitchers: Papi has swagger back [RedSox.com]

Sox timing works for McDonald [Tom Caron – Portland Press Herald]

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

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

UConn Football links

The Big East’s best: No. 25, Zach Hurd [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno’s Cancer Team/Pilot Pen Tennis team up [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Some Thoughts on the UConn Crisis [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

Baseball: Huskies To Take on Oregon in 2010 NCAA Tournament [UConnHuskies.com]

Oregon gets its invitation [The Register-Guard]