A-ROD OPTS OUT OF HR DERBY

Alex Rodriguez keeps coming up with new and original reasons for people to hate him. This time, he's snubbing Yankee fans and the rest of baseball by not participating in the Home Run Derby. This will be the first and last time that the competition will be held at historic Yankee Stadium. But Alex Rodriguez feels as though it might affect his swing. Funny, he participated in three Derbies before becoming a Yankee. Maybe he has performance anxiety. Maybe he's afraid of hitting only 1 or 2 homers in the first round in front of the home fans.

Even sour puss Nomar Garciaparra was able to put on a smile in 1999, and participate in the Derby at Fenway. Why can't A-Rod toughen up and do this at the Stadium? It would be a nice treat for the Yankee fans who help pay his grotesque salary, and for baseball fans around the world.

A-Rod is worried his swing might get messed up. Apparently his swing is as sensitive and soft as he is.

frustRAYtion

Matt Garza and the Rays shut down the Sox offense last night for a 3-1 lead, extending the deficit in the AL East to 2.5 games.

Wakefield had another good start wasted. 7 innings, 2 runs (1 earned). It was actually his 7th straight Quality Start, but he's 2-3 in that stretch, and the Sox are 3-4.

The offense was simply pitiful. Drew, Ramirez, Lowell, and Youkilis, hitting 3-4-5-6, combined to go 0 for 14 with 4 Ks. The Sox didn't get a hit until the 4th. They also left the bases loaded in the 8th.

Think how unimaginable this thought was before the season: If the Rays win tonight, they'll have swept the Red Sox TWICE this season. That's amazing for the Rays, and it's flat out sad for the Sox.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

WHERE'S WILLIE ANDREWS? IN JAIL

Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews was arrested early Monday morning after threatening his girlfriend with a "large capacity" handgun by pointing it at her head. He is being charged with unlawful possession of said gun, as well as assault. He is being held without bail until a hearing on Thursday.

This is the second arrest for Andrews during the off-season. Two days after the Super Bowl, he was taken in for possession of a half pound of marijuana (intent to distribute). This weapons charge and assault will probably affect the outcome of the marijuana case.

This isn't the first trouble he's had with guns, either. Back in his college days at Baylor he was arrested for unlawfully carrying a weapon.

But I think it's safe to say that this will be Willie Andrews' last legal problem as a member of the New England Patriots. It's a shame because he did so well on special teams last year. But this guy is obviously too much trouble.

Sources:
Associated Press
Boston.com

SOX FALL TO RAYS...AGAIN

The Red Sox lineup has struggled all year to really click all at once. At the moment, Dustin Pedroia is scorching hot (20 for his last 36 or .556), Mike Lowell is also hot (17 for his last 32 or .531), and Youkilis is hitting well (.337 average in June). On the other side of the spectrum; JD Drew has cooled off a bit, Manny Ramirez is cold (.205 in the last two weeks), and Jason Varitek has officially frozen over (.127 in June).

This disparity between extremely hot and extremely cold results in an inconsistent offense, with runners left in scoring position, rallies killed right as they start, and quick 1-2-3 innings for opposing pitchers. And that was the case last night as the Sox fell to the Rays 5-4.

Masterson once again had a decent - not good, not bad - start, going 6 innings and allowing 4 runs. But he was up against James Shields, who is pretty much untouchable in Tropicana Field (coming into the game, 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA at home). The Sox got 2 off of Shields, and managed to get him out after 6.1 innings. But these aren't your older brother's (Devil) Rays. This Tampa team has a bullpen that doesn't moonlight as a slapstick comedy troupe.

Speaking of bullpens, Chris Smith started the 7th for the Red Sox, but only got 1 out and walked the bases loaded. Javier Lopez did a good job of minimizing the damage, holding the Rays to 1 run in the inning. But that run would turn out to be the game winner.

The Sox rallied against Troy Percival in the 9th. Lowell and Brandy Moss had big doubles, with a Youkilis single sandwiched in between. Varitek hit a sac-fly to make it 5-4. But Julio Lugo failed to deliver with a man on 3rd and 2 outs.

The Rays now hold a 1.5 game lead over the Red Sox. It feels odd saying that on July 1st. And guess what, it's a 3 game lead in the loss column. The Sox are 6-4 against the rays this season, which isn't bad, but they were 13-5 against Tampa in '07.

Tim Wakefield goes against Matt Garza tonight. Garza is coming off a complete game, 1 hit, 1 run performance against the Marlins. I'm just glad Kevin Cash gets to bat tonight.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

MANNY BEING MANNY TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING

For the second time this season, Manny Ramirez was involved in a physical altercation with a fellow member of the Red Sox organization. This time it was travelling secretary Jack McCormick.

Here's what happened:

Manny asked McCormick to get 16 tickets for Saturday night's game.

McCormick told Manny that he might not be able to get so many tickets on the day of the game.

They argued, Manny yelled "do your job!" and shoved McCormick.

Eventually, Manny apologized, and the matter was handled internally. Francona and the Red Sox plan on taking no disciplinary action.

But doesn't all of this seem tremendously out of character for Ramirez? First the incident with Youkilis, now this stuff? He's gone from someone who was relaxed, nonchalant, and cool as a cucumber; to Paul O'Neil. I'm not sure if I like it or not.

Source:
The Sporting News

CELTICS DRAFT PICKS

Last night was the NBA Draft, and the Celtics made three picks. Here they are:

1st Round, 30th overall: J.R. Giddens - SG, New Mexico

6' 5", 208 lbs, 23 years old
Formerly of Kansas, Giddens transferred after getting involved in a bar fight during which he was stabbed in the right calf. He played his freshman year at Kansas, making the All Big XII freshman team. Played his sophomore year at KU, then transferred and had to sit out for a redshirted season due to NCAA rules. His junior year he was suspended by New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay for not being "a good teammate." But his senior year didn't see any incidents like that. Giddens averaged 16.3 points per game last season, with 8.8 rebounds. This helped him earn co-player of the year honors in the Mountain West Conference.



The Celtics could have gotten Giddens later in the 2nd round. He was projected by many to go in the 2nd or not at all. So they could have used their 47th overall pick, or traded down. And to be honest, Giddens doesn't impress me that much. That being said, he might turn into a good player if he's surrounded by the right teammates and the right coach. And the Celtics have both of those.

2nd Round, 47th overall: Bill Walker - SF, Kansas State

(Drafted by Washington, rights traded to Boston)
6' 6", 220 lbs, 20 years old
Was Michael Beasley's teammate at K-State, and OJ Mayo's teammate in high school. His freshman year for the Wildcats started late and ended early with an ACL injury. He averaged 16.1 points per game his sophomore season. Considering his age and lack of experience, you'd expect him to need to work on parts of his game. He isn't the best shooter in the world, nor is he the best ball handler. But he has potential to be a decent player in a few years.



2nd Round: 60th overall: Semih Erden - C, Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey)

7' 1", 240 lbs, 21 years old
Token large European. Hasn't shown much in European play, averaging only 20 minutes, 6.7 points, and 4.3 points per game. His defensive shortcomings have drawn criticism, especially considering his size. On offense he's a non-force outside of the paint.

Sources:
ESPN.com
Boston.com
Draft Express - JR Giddens
Draft Express - Bill Walker
Draft Express - Semih Erden

ISN'T IT NICE BEATING RANDY JOHNSON AGAIN?

Even without the Yankee pinstripes, it's still a pleasure to put a loss next to Randy Johnson's name.

Tim Wakefield pitched great, holding Arizona to 2 hits over 7 innings of work. He only walked 1 and struck out 6. Delcarmen pitched the 8th and looked sharp, striking out 2 of the 3 men he faced. Craig Hansen looked shaky and once again forced the Sox to use Papelbon when they really shouldn't have had to. But Paps struck out the one man he faced to earn Save #23.

Dustin Pedroia continues to hit the ball well. He was 3 for 5. coco Crisp had a big night, going 3 for 4 with a trio of doubles. Kevin Ca$h Money hit his first homerun in a Red Sox uniform in the 8th, and it was a big one. His three run shot gave the Sox some insurance, which was quickly cashed in by Hansen. The one black mark of the game was that Manny was 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts.

This was game #81 for the Red Sox, and halfway through they look pretty sharp. They're on pace for 98 wins, which would be the most regular season wins since 2004. And we all know what happened in 2004. Their offense is impressive, even when missing some of its biggest pieces. But the pitching could use some improvement in all areas. Starters and relievers.

The Sox have Thursday off before starting a 3 game set in Houston. Daisuke will make his return, facing former Red Sox property Runelvys Hernandez. Hernandez is making his first MLB start of the season.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Elise Amendola

SOX SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST

A 4 run 8th inning propelled the Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the D-bax last night. Three of those 4 runs scored with 2 outs.

Dustin Pedroia got the scoring started in the 1st with a solo homerun. It was his 7th of the season. He only hit 8 last year.

Pedroia would later play a part in the 8th inning rally. He knocked in a run with a single to make it 4-2, and eventually scored the tying run. After hitting .260 for the month of May, Pedroia has really turned things on. He's hitting .284 in June. In the last 10 games, he's hitting .441 with 3 homeruns.

Kevin Youkilis didn't start due to the eye injury. But he was able to come in and play the 9th inning.

Justin Masterson looked solid once again. He went 6 and allowed 4 runs, and his big mistake was the 3 run homer in the 3rd. But he's really impressed me this season. I wish the Sox weren't so desperate for starters at the moment so he could pitch in Pawtucket for the rest of the year and start full-time in 2009.

Randy Johnson and his 5.09 ERA take on Tim Wakefield tonight.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Elise Amendola