Let me get this straight: The Red Sox land Eric Gagne but miss on an equally huge trade, for Jermaine Dye. Curt Schilling starts in AAA, all on the undercard of the biggest trade in any sport over the past three years, sending Minnesota basketball superstar to … Boston. And then, of course there’s Patriots training camp. So, we’ve got Sox, Pats, Celts blockbuster days. I think that makes it your move Jeremy Jacobs! En guard!
Eric Gagne looks like a good get for the Sox.
BOSTON HERALD
Bedard, O’s deal Sox loss - Whoa, we’re blessed with a Michael Silverman gamer! With (surprise, surprise) a Celtics lead!
Ortiz a fan of C’s deal - We’re hoping that Tony Massaroti gets subsidized for this terrific Celtics ticket sales job. Evidently Big Papi and Terry Francona are big basketball fans. Or at least they know how to give diplomatic quotes.
Donnelly to have surgery - Silverman’s notebook leads with the extended absence of reliever Brendan Donnelly, who will miss the rest of the year after Tommy John surgery.
Trade a relief to Papi - So, as Ken Powtak explains, maybe there’s another reason the Sox got Gagne, keeping him away from the Yanks and Mets: Big Papi doesn’t like trying to hit him.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Beckett’s bender is one of the best - On a night in which he loses a game, Steven Krasner writes about the dominance of Beckett’s curveball.
Papi sees Gagne as hot stuff - Krasner and Carolyn Thornton combine on a Papi-Gagne piece that’s pretty similar to Silverman’s Herald number.
The Perfect Pitch - Sean McAdam nails a piece about how Gagne’s acquisition doesn’t just make Boston better, it also directly hurts the Yankees. Much like the Bobby Abreu fiasco turned the tide last year.
Gagne’s on the way, Schilling’s looking strong, things are moving up, eh?
Nothing left but the shouting - Thornton writes the game story, focusing on Big Papi’s big night and Beckett’s big yelp.
A day to remember - Dan Shaughnessy writes the fairly straight forward piece that needs to be written, about how Boston was the epicenter of the sports world yesterday afternoon.
Schilling right on target - And then we learned that the Globe’s Columbus correspondent is Dave O’Neill, whose lead isn’t quite what ole’ Donn Walden’s was.
Donnelly needs surgery - Amalie Benjamin’s notebook leads, understandably, with the loss of Donnelly. It’ll be interesting to see how much speculation on why the Sox went so hard for Gagne centers on the loss and diminishment of Donnelly and Mike Timlin.
Red Sox land top reliever, set title course - Gordon Edes returns to the section just in time to nail the trade deadline story, as well as speculate about the team’s potential pursuit of Bobby Kielty to fill the Jermaine Dye-less outfield.
OK, let me get this straight. When it looks to easy to be true it is. But then when it looks like a disaster it isn’t? Only in Tampa Bay, where there really are natural disasters in October. Or, for that matter, throughout the baseball season.
6 2/3 with four runs? Yeah, we’ll take that Jon Boy. Nice job.
BOSTON GLOBE
Sox walk away unscathed - Amalie Benjamin is the writer who most clearly ties in the fact that Tampa Bay has become a virtual home park for the Sox. Other road fields are taking this course, but the Trop takes the case, and Benjamin talks about how it rocked after Julio Lugo’s walk and Kevin Youkilis’ game-breaking double in the 12th.
No other way for Drew, just more hard work - Benjamin’s notebook takes an interesting turn in leading with J.D. Drew’s extended struggles. They’ve become so commonplace that it’s hard to see that notes lead coming.
Dye has tools Sox need - Nick Cafardo writes on the recently aborted Jermaine Dye trade, and why it makes sense and could be resurrected by Theo Epstein and the Boston front office.
Sox skate by in 12th after Pap blows save Ahhh, leave it to the Jeff Horrigan of the past two weeks to lead a game story with the Police concert at Fenway last night. Solid work Mr. Horrigan. Solid work. Made even better, of course, by the fact that Terry Francoca used the word sting in a quote. Let’s cue the Guinness guys on this one: Brilliant!
Come on Cora, Youk … just … don’t … hit … each other … pleeeaassee … OK, that was a little close guys.
Similar scenario, but a far different closer - Rob Bradford writes on the eerie similarities between this year’s Papelbon blown save at the Trop and the one from last August. A nice piece filled with good reflection.
Early streak has Sox in nice shape - Tony Massaroti’s weekly Covering All Bases focuses on just how important Boston’s early-season bulldozing of the schedule was.
Tavarez puts stock in ex-mate Bonds - If you haven’t noticed, Julian Tavarez seems to get along really well with all of his teammates. Evidently that was even the case with Barry Bonds in San Fran, who he’s now rooting for to break Hank Aaron’s home run record. Bradford tracks down the reliever and gets him on the record.
Clement takes big step - Horrigan’s notebook focuses on a heart-warming story in the return of Matt Clement, who has had more dirt thrown on top of his Boston grave than some revolutionary heroes. Evidently he’s closer to getting back than people think. Meanwhile, Dustin Pedroia sat out again with rib pain after being pelted by Francisco Carmona a few nights ago.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Boston retakes win in 12th - Great lead on Joe McDonald’s gamer: Jonathan Papelbon is in the baseball business to save the Red Sox. Last night, the Red Sox saved Jonathan Papelbon. Great stuff. He wins the lead of the night award, hands down.
Interesting notes in a lot of the papers, though it’s not a surprise given the fan reactions across the country in recent seasons. But it did feel like yesterday’s win was a huge, transplanted Boston home game, didn’t it? That’s gotta piss a home team off.
Get … outta … town. Or at least the dome.
BOSTON HERALD
Wake means yet another funeral for hapless Rays - Terrific title, isn’t it? Jeff Horrigan’s gamer starts was nearly as enrapturing a lead, even though it has little to do with the game action. Horrigan has really started to branch out, and it’s been impressive of late, to say the least.
It’s a pirate’s life for Sox’ super bullpen - Rob Bradford writes a pan-bullpen sidebar, and somehow drags out the fact that the Sox pen is calling itself the Pirate of the Carribean in the process. That make sense to anyone else out there!?!
Schilling eager to show his stuff - Bradford catches up with the rejuvenated Curt Schilling, and his jonesing to get back on a big league mound.
Tag! You’re out! Alex slapped one on Delmon Young at second early last night.
Rays shine on Lugo - Horrigan leads his notebook with Julio Lugo returning to Tampa Bay. Here’s a hint: he won’t be the last to do it. He also weighs in on the rehabbing Brendan Donnelly and Matt Clement. Yes, he’s still alive and throwing.
A shift in Devil Rays’ plans for Ortiz - Bradford does yoeman’s work in tracking down Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon and grilling him about a move away from the drastic shift the Rays have always put on Big Papi.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Sox feel right at home in Florida - Joe McDonald’s game story leads with a reaction on how every Tampa game is right at home for the Sox. Nice angle, especially after listening to the fan reaction last night.
Maybe J.D. was just trying to honor Homer Simpson? Anyone buying that?
Lugo on familiar ground - McDonald’s notebook leads with the happy return of Lugo, who despite playing the second half in L.A. last year hadn’t returned to Tropicana Field before last night.
BOSTON GLOBE
Sox find relief - Amalie Benjamin starts with the Sox’ struggles against Tampa starter Jason Hamels, but wastes little time in how Boston got to the Rays’ bullpen.
Schilling in control after tuneup - The Benjamin notebook leads with Schilling’s full tank of confidence after Thursday’s start, but she gets to Manny Ramirez’s bomb of a home run the night before, too.
Sunshine state for Wakefield - Nick Cafardo writes a well-deserved feature on Wakefield, who still hasn’t lost in Tampa Bay. He’s 8-0 folks. Amazing stat, huh?
Royals watching Sox - It’s just a blog entry, but Cafardo also notes that Kansas City scouts were on hand in Tampa Bay last night, leading creedence to the rumors that the Sox are hot on Octavio Dotel’s tail
The Coyote bit back last night in Cleveland. Throwing him a fastball? Bad call, amigos.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Sox hit ‘em with both barrels - Joe McDonald leads with the huge hits from … Wily Mo Pena. In fact, he hardly touches on Manny Ramirez’s two humongous shots. But he does eventually get to Kason Gabbard and the emergence and win by Julian Tavarez.
Deadline deals are possible, but nothing imminent - McDonald’s notebook starts with a bang, focusing on potential deals for Ty Wigginton from Tampa Bay or Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh. But he also writes about Curt Schilling’s rehab by story’s end.
Schilling dominant for Pawtucket - A fellow named John Wagner provides a special gamer on the PawSox’s matchup with the Toledo Mud Hens, reporting on a particularly strong outing from Schilling.
BOSTON HERALD
Bats bounce back as Sox torch Tribe - Jeff Horrigan’s gamer also leads with the Coyote, though he wastes little time in getting to MBM and Mike “Dr. Double” Lowell, as well as Gabbard’s struggles.
Price rises high - Horrigan’s notebook focuses on the escalating costs of potential trades, and how the strength of Boston’s minor league system may keep the Sox from dealing. He also writes on the minor league inking of outfielder Brady Clark, who will fill in for the gimpy Jacoby Ellsbury, who is out with a slightly tweaked groin.
MBM and Big Papi had plenty to celebrate at the plate last night.
Sox plan for Schilling return - Horrigan does triple duty, writing that Schilling is likely to return August 5 after a strong rehab start in Toledo.
Nerves jangle in July - Rob Bradford gets various Sox stars to talk about how the trade deadline makes everyone nervous, because you can’t be sure who will be there the next day.
PawSox’ Buchholz adds to workload - Rich Thompson slides over to cover Sox for a day, writing about the growing workload and evolution of prized prospect Clay Buchholz at the AAA level.
BOSTON GLOBE
Ramirez, Sox go boom - Nick Cafardo writes the Sox gamer and, finally, someone leads with MBM’s two bombs. About time.
Price isn’t right for GM’s - Cafardo’s notebook is mostly trade updates, with a Clark note as it winds down.
Pena breaks through - The Globe gives the Coyote his own sidebar, the first time that’s happened in, well, who can remember?
Whiffs of success for Schilling - Some guy named Donald Emmonds writes the Globe’s special on Schilling’s rehab start, and it reads much like the ProJo’s, with a little more flair. No surprise there.
Did anyone catch Josh Beckett’s post game comments? Oh yeah, that’s right, last night was a game at the Jake. So much for a potential sweep on the road, eh?
Another night, another loss without run support for Beckett.
BOSTON GLOBE
This duel doesn’t go Sox’ way - Amalie Benjamin’s game story leads with a clever tie-in from the night before. Hope you were keeping tabs. But Benjamin wastes little time before getting to the costly miscues, which is probably the biggest story after all.
Schilling’s words bring response from Canseco - Nick Cafardo goes a step beyond the story, tracking down steroid user and accuser Jose Canseco to get his take on Curt Schilling’s steroid shots at Barry, Balco, etc.
Team is interested in Devil Rays’ Wigginton - Benjamin and Cafardo combine to write a notebook completely unique from the one used in other papers, revealing players the Sox have confirmed interest in - according to sources - and also catching Doug Mirabelli in a ranking of “stuff” among the Sox pitchers.
Wily Mo is almost certainly on his way out of the Hub. But will he finally catch that damn roadrunner?
Fresh start is Pena’s biggest potential - Cafardo weighs in on Wily Mo Pena, saying it’s now time to move the Coyote, perhaps to a place where he can finally find that final “L”.
Pitching to online gamers - Chris Gasper contributes to Hiawatha Bray’s Red Sox debut, a feature about Schilling’s video game company “38 Studios” and its planned 2010 game that may compete with Warcraft and other fantasy games.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Real down-and-outer - Joe McDonald’s gamer touches on what could have been, as Cleveland stole a win out of a Josh Beckett start behind, Fausto Carmona? Yeah, that was our thought, too.
A few days ago, Pineiro was getting the final out at Fenway. Now he’s in Pawtucket.
For Youkilis, money is secondary to winning - McDonald leads his gamer with an interesting note on Kevin Youkilis’ approach to playing for the Sox: that winning now is more important than a current payday. He goes on to note Joel Pineiro accepting a demotion to Pawtucket, the stunning rise of Double-A pitching prospect Justin Masterson and the ongoing recovery efforts of Brendan Donnelly.
BOSTON HERALD
Beckett, Sox lose duel - The shining point of Jeff Horrigan’s gamer - and they’ve been strong of late - is the quote from Jason Varitek calling last night’s Beckett performance one of his best.
Former Indian Coco Crisp came closer than any other Sox to scoring last night, but he was caught, too.
Sox path blocked - Rob Bradford writes a post-game sidebar on Boston’s close-but-no-cigar miscues, including Alex Cora beating up on himself for missing a hit-and-run sign.
New start for Pineiro - Horrigan’s notebook focuses on the surprising move of Joel Pineiro accepting a demotion to Pawtucket, where he’ll suddenly become a starter again. There’s a twist for you, no? Also, quick notes on Curt Schilling’s start in Toledo today and a potpourri of oddities to close the piece.
It’s always a beautiful morning the day after everything goes right in a game against a top AL rival. But it never hurts to have terrific weather to boot, does it?
Dice-K was dealing last night.
BOSTON HERALD
Dice-K drives in a run - Jeff Horrigan drops a Lindsay Lohan bombshell for a lead (he’ll be at the Sands all week people, don’t forget to tip your waiters), but goes on to extoll just how good Daisuke Matsuzaka has been over his past 11 starts, despite a stunning lack of run support.
Sox stay calm in storm - Rob Bradford focuses on how focused the team’s locker room is, and how the Sox are showing a united front heading towards the trade deadline next week.
Ortiz gets lumber ready - Horrigan’s notebook leads with the impending return of David Ortiz, but also hits on last night’s bizarre lineup, Curt Schilling’s rehab start tonight and the blazing bat of Manny Ramirez.
Speed readings on Papelbon’s radar - More than two weeks after the closer initially broached the subject, Bradford writes the sidebar on how Jonathan Papelbon hates radar guns.
The Sox got a little incidental help from an old friend, right fielder Trot Nixon.
“New” Coco old to news to Indians - Bradford’s copious writing continues, touching on resurgent Coco Crisp, who is peaking as he returns to his former stomping grounds at the Jake.
Lester gets Lance’s support - Testing the theory that you can’t have too much Bradford, the sidenote scribe writes the late-breaking piece about Lance Armstrong’s written and personal support of cancer survivor Jon Lester.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Dice-K strong-arms Indians - ProJo columnist Joe MacDonald writes about the atmosphere and drama surrounding last night’s pitcher’s duel to end all pitcher’s duels.
PawSox manager gave Delcarmen renewed purpose - MacDonald touches on the subtle yet essential influence that Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson had on Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen erlier this season.
Indecision on Bonds lessens Selig stature - Sean McAdam’s potpourri column leads with Bud Selig heading to San Fran for Barry Bonds’ run at Hank Aaron’s record, but touches on Sox trivia and administrivia as it courses along.
BOSTON GLOBE
Red Sox are a bit better - Amalie Benjamin leads the Globe’s gamer with a touch of the side McDonald wrote for the ProJo, but quickly segue’s to Dice-K’s dominance.
Watch for the Dice-K sighting in this bizarre clip. We promise, it’s the best you’ve seen all year. Honest.
From the looks of it, Epstein needs to stay focused - Nick Cafardo writes Wednesday’s On Baseball column, touching on the dilemma that Theo Epstein faces a week before the deadline, mainly weather to make a more minor move or whether to push full bore into the Mark Texeira sweepstakes taking place in Arlington.
Just like his average, Crisp moving on up - Benjamin leads the notebook with Crisp’s ever improving spot in the Sox lineup, but also hits on Julio Lugo’s current career-high hitting streak, among other oddities and niceties.
‘You couldn’t wait for Manny to come to the plate’ - Admittedly, Cafardo had a hard time finding Indians front office personnel who were around the team in Manny’s seminal 1999 season. But when he did, he knocked his story out of the park. A terrific retrospective on a terrific hitter.
Sox Nest is in favor of more LMontro, all the time.
Red Sox connecting with their cut off man - Oh … my … God. It’s an LMontro story. And a terrific one at that. While we’re disappointed that they didn’t name drop Sox Nest (come on Mark Shanahan, show us some love!), the scribe does a terrific job tracking down all that is the bizarre world of LMontro, where cutting hair gets you a fly car with Louis Vitton wheels. Astounding.
HARTFORD COURANT
1 for the road - Jeff Goldberg’s gamer focuses on Matsuzaka-san, with a healthy dose of support for the bullpen and the team’s situational hitting, which seemed all but dead a week ago.
In tight game, defense huge - Goldberg’s notebook takes an interesting twist, leading with Boston’s impressive team defense, but quickly moves on to Big Papi’s return.
Well, I think all Sox fans can agree that Kason Gabbard has been a nice surprise, huh? Evidently, so can all the writers.
BOSTON HERALD
Eric Hinske had a nice day at the plate, but expects to soon have an even better one in a hospital delivery room.
Gabbard-led Red Sox burn Chicago to Crisp - While the Herald editors played “Lets see how many players we can get in the headline, Michael Silverman wrote a blustery gamer, focusing mostly on the offensive explosion of Coco Crisp and co., but also touching on what back-to-back wins can do to lift a team’s psyche.
Waiting game is right move for Sox - The always thought-provoking Tony Massaroti writes a terrific piece making the case for validating Boston’s inactivity at last year’s trade deadline. Evidently this team is better for that, and a better World Series contender to boot. He makes a compelling case.
Schill’s stuff is spot on - Maureen Mullen makes the trip to Pawtucket to take in Curt Schilling’s rehab start, and reports on the game and Big Schill’s encounter with former World Series teammate Mark Bellhorn.
Papi’s shoulder looks good - Silverman leads his baseball notebook with the news all Sox fans wanted to hear: David Ortiz’s shoulder showed no significant damage. He also notes the dramatic upswing in the team’s batting statistics, as well as solicitation for a change for the left field home run marker on top of the green monster.
Whole new ballgame for Hinske on, off field - Rob Bradford writes an interesting feature on reserve Eric Hinske, who’s big game on the field was tempered by concern over his pregnant wife and the impending arrival of their first child.
Kason attends ‘Tek school - Bradford’s second sider is all about the importance of Jason Varitek, and how relying on the all-star catcher has made all the difference in the second go-round for young budding ace Gabbard.
Coco drives Chicago loco - Cheesy headlines aside, Rich Thompson writes the piece that has to be written, after a seven-RBI afternoon for Crisp.
Mo Coco, mo ChiSox headaches.
Going back to the start - Thompson also delves into how Julio Lugo regained the leadoff spot in the order, just days after Terry Francona said he wasn’t going back there yet. Evidently yet was a very fluid term.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Gabbard, Crisp lead Sox to 11-2 win - Rob Lee - oh, if only his last name were Lowe - writes a de-facto gamer filling in for Steven Krasner. Well, it’s about as de facto as a story could be when a game finishes 11-2.
Another gem by Gabbard - Want to see the difference between a story for a first edition and a true final product? Read the Lee story above, then read this final, quotes-added version. There’s plenty of difference, and it’s an interesting instructional lesson.
Biggest factors in Red Sox romp are easy to see - Gordon Edes leads his game story with a clever aside about how the hometown fans of Gabbard in Florida and Crisp in Cali. were forced to watch other games on FOX while their homeboys cleaned up at Fenway.
Gabbard has left no doubt - Nick Cafardo jumps on the Gabbard bandwagon, claiming he may have a spot in the rotation to stay.
Schilling aces rehab work - Globe South sports reporter Monique Walker covers Schilling’s rehab start in Pawtucket, giving her byline a bit of big air.
Special assignment scouts - Cafardo’s weekly on baseball piece focuses on the disjointed importance of a few trusty scouts before the trade deadline.
There’s no way anyone can actually say that they predicted the Sox would lose this series with Kansas City. That being said, they lost it. So, how did Boston drop two of three to the pereniall AL Central doormats … AT HOME? Here’s how the papers saw it:
Julian Tavarez may have plenty of time to contemplate what might have been … while sitting in the bullpen and watching Jon Lester in his starting spot.
BOSTON GLOBE
Slide step - Like others, Gordon Edes leads by comparing Boston’s .500 ball to the surging Yankees. But unlike some stories, Edes’ gamer seems to focus on the team’s struggles - and Yankee comparisons - throughout the piece.
Lugo not likely in leading role - Edes starts the notebook with Tito’s assurances that Julio Lugo won’t return to the leadoff role … yet. But he also hits on the Astros’ reluctance to trade closer Brad Lidge, as well as Jon Lester’s latest Pawtucket start and the sudden surge of Mike Timlin.
Getting it right in left? - Globe intern Daniel Malloy’s latest installment is a piece on the struggles of left fielder Manny Ramirez, who seems to make as many errors as saved runs by playing so shallow in left. The topic is clearly simmering in the minds of Sox fans, and Malloy’s piece is a nice check on that pulse.
Tavarez is still at a loss - Malloy also covers being Julian Tavarez, which last night meant being a pitcher who blows a lead … and can’t last five innings.
BOSTON HERALD
Red Sox losing grip - The title of Jeff Horrigan’s game story clearly underscores the concern of so many Sox fans, and maybe secretly the Sox themselves. Suddenly the Yankees have made this a true AL East race, but Horrigan focuses mostly on the dismal downspin of Tavarez, and how he may have pitched his last Red Sox start.
Bullpen maintains usual strength - According to Michael Silverman, amidst the Sox struggles, the Boston bullpen remains one of baseball’s best, with the sudden surge of Mike Timlin and Manny Delcarmen combining with Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon to form an almost unequalled group.
Sox dealing with reality - Tony Massaroti reminds fans that if they Sox made a deadline deal, they may have to give up a lot to get it done, a cost which - given the strength of the Boston farm system - may make it a crippling move a year or more down the road.
Tito takes offense - Horrigan’s notebook focuses on Terry Francona’s vigorous defense of his team’s sputtering offense which, while hitting for better average, is now struggling to knock in base runners.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Tavarez, Red Sox falter again - Joe MacDonald spells Steven Krasner to write the ProJo gamer, focusing - take a wild guess - on the struggles of everyone’s favorite full-time pitcher/part-time bowler.
The only thing they’re hitting is the skids - Sean McAdam writes of the Sox’s sudden struggles, drawing the parallels to the 2006 team’s stumbles and highlighting their lack of offensive production.
Even Wally’s flag waving is drooping a bit, isn’t it?
Lefties getting it right against Ortiz - What, you thought just because Krasner didn’t write the game piece, he wasn’t at the Fens? Instead, the ProJo beat man writes the notebook, focusing on Big Papi’s struggles with southpaw relievers sent in to shut him down specifically. He also has an eclectic mix of other notes: Manny’s fielding struggles, the Royals as free swingers and some frustration for Dustin Pedroia.
Don’t expect Dye to switch Sox - McAdam and MacDonald combine on another potential trade piece, claiming that a source is saying Jermaine Dye wouldn’t accept a trade to Boston, because he wouldn’t be in the everyday strarting lineup. So much for the Wily Mo Pena and a pupu platter trade to land the slugger.
HARTFORD COURANT
Royal visit no treat - Jeff Golberg’s gamer goes where others have boldly treaded: with struggling Sox and booming Yankees.
Just not coming through - Golberg’s notebook focuses on the team’s inability to hit with runners in scoring a position, a problem that is truly becoming conspicuous.
Let’s not talk about last night’s loss, shall we? How ’bout we just get to the headlines, and make the people who HAVE to talk about it for a living do it …
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Royals thump Sox, 9-3 - Steven Krasner leads his game story with the thought that was already on so many Sox fan’s minds: look at how close the Yankees are! OK, so eight games isn’t really that close, but a loss to the Royals sure can make it feel closer, can’t it?
Big Papi couldn’t even look after this seventh-inning double play.
Red-hot Lugo extends hitting streak to seven games - ProJo columnists Joe MacDonald and Sean McAdam combine for the Sox Notebook, which leads with the type of hitting from shortstop Julio Lugo the team had expected all season. They also hit on future uncertainty for the sudden winderkind, Kason Gabbard, as well as new expectations and roles for the future wunderkind, Clay Buchholz and role player Brendan Donnelly.
As trading deadline nears, don’t expect a shocker from Sox - McAdam writes the first of what is almost certain to be a long series of trade-related articles, focusing mostly on spot relievers. Get ready for a lot of talk about Rangers and Astros arms people.
Close isn’t cutting it for Manny - Krasner writes a psuedo-notebook of his own, focusing on fielding mistakes by the Sox (cough, cough CATCH the BALL Manny!) and the smooth glove - and wild swing - of the Royals’ Tony Pena Jr.
BOSTON HERALD
A Royal flushing - Jeff Horrigan writes a ho hum gamer about a stinker of a game. Solid as always, if unremarkable.
Sox take stand at third - Tony Massaroti goes ahead and jumps the shark on writing the “We like Mike Lowell” article in light of all the Alex Rodriguez free-agency hype.
Manny’s left all right - Horrigan’s notebook, like Krasner’s focuses on ManRam’s fielding prowess, or lack thereof, though he leads with Terry Francona’s implicit support.
Back in swing - Massaroti shines a bright light on Lugo’s resurgence, just in time to keep Sox fans from lynching the Dominican shortstop outside Faneuil Hall. Or is it in time?
As in this Globe photo by Jim Davis, the Royals beat the Sox - and catcher Doug Mirabelli - to every punch last night.
Sanders likes thought of trade to the Sox - Rob Bradford brings up the possibility of a Reggie Sanders-for-Wily Mo Pena trade, even though that seems like an odd match for all sides, doesn’t it?
BOSTON GLOBE
Royal uprising - Gordon Edes’ gamer keeps the team nickname headlines in full-swing, though he leads with a different touch: the story of Royals rookie starter Leo Nunez, who just learned he would start in Fenway earlier this week. His story also exhibits the palpable sense of growing urgency which seems to be pervading Yawkey Way.
Hindsight is still 20/20 - While Edes subtly alludes to growing frustration, Nick Cafardo takes the more even keel view of the team’s sudden middling, pointing out Boston’s still large division lead and exemplary bullpen work, last night’s outing not withstanding.
More power to them - As per usual, Edes’ notebook has a slightly different flavor. He leads with the team’s relative power surge heading into last night, but still gets to all the other notes, including - interestingly - one about the Sox possibly being interested in Reggie Sanders. Maybe Bradford was onto something …
Tavarez looks for fresh start - Only one piece for Amalie Benjamin today, but it’s a good one for readers who want to feel better about the team’s chances tonight. Benjamin writes a Julian Tavarez feature, focusing on how rough three of the last four starts have been while focusing on what he plans to do to make tonight’s better.
OK folks, hard to beat last night, huh? The other writers seemed to think so, too:
BOSTON HERALD
Kason had a lot to tip his cap about.
Kason point - The title says it all for Jeff Horrigan’s gamer. The main-man was spectacular, though Horrigan notes how impressive Brian Bannister was in spurts for the Royals.
Buck stops here - Michael Silverman writes about John Buck’s early-season dinger, the lone run off stupendous Sox reliever Hideki Okajima. Interesting angle to take, since none of us saw it coming at the time.
Schilling ready for rehab try - Horrigan’s notebook leads with Schilling’s impending start at AAA Pawtucket, touching on his simulated game yesterday. He also hits on the return of Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Gabbard kept the Royals off balance - Steven Krasner’s gamer focuses on the Stiffmeister look-alike again, noting how many off-speed pitches he tossed. It’s a terrific angle, and a pretty unique one, particularly in that it he used the piece more to flesh out what some might have considered only an aspect of the game.
Anyone getting tired of the Seann William Scott jokes yet? Me neither.
Rejuvenated Schilling hopes to return Aug. 1 - Krasner teams up with the long-awaited return of Sean McAdam, putting together a notebook which focuses squarely on the simulated game by Schilling and his rehab schedule. They also note Julio Lugo’s continued hitting streak and the power surge from Big Papi and Manny Ramirez.
This won’t be the first or last feat of clay - ProJo columnist Jim Donaldson writes that Clay Buchholz has a lot ahead of him, even after drawing high praise despite giving up a two-run bomb of a homer and three total runs (two earned) in three innings at McCoy Stadium. Try getting your head around all that cognitive dissonance there.
BOSTON GLOBE
Rookie ball - Gordon Edes returns to game duty, and immediately steals the lead of the day by turning the clock back to last year’s spring training, when Terry Francona had to send over a beer to the pitcher who he didn’t even know he had … after he figured out he had him. Funny stuff, particularly considering where he’s come.
Schilling’s pitch: Arm feeling good as new - The Edes notebook leads with Schilling’s rehab, as would be expected. Interestingly, Edes is the only one who has Schilling pitching to four batters in his simulated game (Alex Cora, Eric Hinske, Wily Mo Pena and Doug Mirabelli). We know that Pena and Mirabelli were there, all the writers agree on that. Everyone seems split on whether it was Cora or Hinske, or both, who took the rest of the hacks.
Watching out for left-right combo - You know a minor league event is a big deal when a paper sends it’s big picture writer to cover it. Such was the case with the Buchholz debut, with Nick Cafardo writing in the shadows of the press box. Still, Cafardo doesn’t ignore the other PawSox pitcher with serious MLB aspirations … Jon Lester.
Red Sox’ Pedroia has healthy outlook - The Daniel Malloy contribution of the day chimes in on diminutive second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who seems to be fully recovered from his All-Star break flu after a homer and several strong defensive stops last night.
Royals bank on futures market - The second Malloy contribution is his now routine run through the opposing clubhouse, today putting out the requisite “Royals are building with young talent” piece. Mehhh.
