Rough Night All Around at Fenway

It was a rough weekend for the Red Sox, as they dropped two out of three to the Angels, including last night’s 10-4 whipping of Curt Schilling and company. The Sox were dangerously close to being swept over the weekend, as it took a late inning rally to salvage the one win in the series on Saturday.

Gordon Edes reports from Fenway about the game, the injury to Trot Nixon and all the trade rumors swirling around the club which have players on edge in the clubhouse. Michael Silverman looks at a night of just all bad news for the Red Sox. Bill Ballou reports on a night of precious little good cheer at Fenway Park. Joe McDonald has more on the Angels handing Curt Schilling his first home loss of the season. Tommy Hine has more on Curt Schilling getting rocked at Fenway Park last night. Scott Barboza also reports on Schilling perfect home record coming to an end thanks to seven extra base hits by the Angels against him.

Sean McAdam looks at the trade-rumor mill, and reports that those close to Roger Clemens claim he is sorry he picked the Astros over the Red Sox, and would love to be dealt to Boston, but will not ask the team to trade him. Alex Speier looks at Red Sox players getting dizzy with all the trade rumors swirling around them. Jon Couture has Terry Francona very comfortable with his team even if no further moves are made. Steve Buckley says that the injury to Trot Nixon last night might throw a wrench in to the Red Sox trade plans. Nick Cafardo reports on the Yankees acquiring Bobby Abreu, someone whom the Red Sox had been rumored to covet. Buckley gets opinions from the Red Sox clubhouse on the trade that netted the Yankees Abreu.

Amalie Benjamin has Curt Schilling extremely disappointed in his outing last night which saw him give up three home runs in an inning for the first time since 1997. Stephen Krasner has more on Schilling’s rough night, in which he kept battling despite his struggles. Lenny Megliola also reports on the shelling of Schilling.

Kelsie Smith reports on the injury to Nixon, which might leave the Red Sox outfield – and trade options – up in the air. Mark Murphy has more on the right biceps injury or Nixon, which could have him out for a while. Matt Kalman reports on yet more bad news, as Keith Foulke had to be scratched from his rehab appearance in Pawtucket yesterday. Kevin McNamara also has a report on Foulke. Murphy also notes that the Red Sox will be counting heavily on David Wells’ return to the rotation, which begins tonight against the Indians.

Edes’ notebook looks at the trade rumors around Mike Lowell and Mark Loretta, and has an update on Manny Delcarmen’s sore thumb. Silverman’s notebook looks at a rumored three way deal between the Red Sox, Rockies and Padres. The Projo notebook (or Red Sox Journal as they call it today) has a look at David Wells taking the mound for the Red Sox tonight. Hine’s notebook says Terry Francona hopes that the Indians don’t try to bunt their way on against David Wells and his rehabbing knee. Ballou’s notebook has Terry Francona remaining mum and any possible moves.

Patriots

Jerome Solomon says that one reason for the increased number of two-a-days in training camp this year is for the players to spend more time working on the fundamentals, something that Bill Belichick feels last years club came a short on. John Tomase looks at the training camp kicking battle of which rookie Stephen Gostkowski is participating. Tom E Curran has a look at Eric Warfield as the veteran tries to adjust to the Patriots system. Michael Parente has Warfield hoping to get a clean slate with the Patriots, and getting help from Tebucky Jones in learning the system.

Michael Felger wonders if the Patriots have enough depth at wide receiver. Alan Greenberg has Tom Brady extra focused with the longer offseason this year and confident he has the tools to succeed with this team. Albert Breer has Corey Dillon being as salty as ever this training camp. Bob Halloran says there is no room for emotion in the NFL.

Felger also says that Hawkins could be a key in the Patriots secondary, perhaps allowing Eugene Wilson to return to cornerback. Jennifer Toland says that Hawkins could also be filling in for Rodney Harrison if he is unable to start the season on the field for the Patriots. Curran also says that the Patriots defense works best as a group effort, with all players trusting each other. David Brown has old-timers Chad and Troy Brown imparting their NFL knowledge to the younger players on the roster. Ron Borges reports that the search for a new NFL commissioner is down to five candidates.

The Globe Notebook has Warfield diligently trying to pick up the Patriots system. Tomase’s notebook has Corey Dillon receiving the support of the fans in attendance yesterday. Toland’s notebook has Dillon feeling fine about his conditioning.

Highlights from the Weekend:

Kevin Paul Dupont had a very good feature on 19th century African-American baseball player Frank Grant, who was among those inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday. Tony Massarotti’s Covering All Bases checked out the baseball playoff races, where, wouldn’t you know it, the wildcard might just come out of the AL East once again after another year spent with all the “experts” saying it wouldn’t. Rob Bradford had a look at how players like Mike Lowell deal with the rumors at the trading deadline. Nick Cafardo led off his Baseball Notes talking to five figures in the game about of baseball about what team they wouldn’t want to face in the playoffs. Maureen Mullen caught up with former Red Sox reliever Jeff Gray, 15 years after the stroke that ended his career. Lots of praise for Manny’s defense in the Red Sox Notebook from Sunday in the Herald.

Bruce Mohl of the Globe had an interview with Jim Holzman, president of Ace Ticket, and discussed the sometimes questionable tactics used by ticket resellers.

Mike Reiss had the Football Notes and checked in with things up in Buffalo with Marv Levy. Tom E Curran looked at Eugene Wilson showing his versatility by playing both cornerback and safety. Tony Massarotti had a look at Tedy Bruschi attacking training camp with zeal and vengeance. Albert Breer’s Patriots Beat said that the 2005 rookie class has to step into bigger roles this season. Ron Borges had a pair of very good articles over the weekend. Saturday he reports on Bill Belichick lamenting how the “Oklahoma Drill” isn’t prominently featured in NFL training camps any more, and on Sunday, had Chad Brown talking about his return to the Patriots and where he is in his career. John Tomase had more on Belichick pining for Oklahoma.

Mark Murphy’s NBA Notes say that the Celtics are a bit stuck now that the 76ers say that Allen Iverson is not on the trade market. Peter May checked out the rebuilding of the Indiana Pacers in the Basketball Notes. Scott Souza in his Courtside View had a look at Craig Smith as the former Boston College forward prepares for his shot in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The BSMW Power Play crew checked in with a look at the players the Bruins have added during this offseason. Nancy Marrapese-Burrell had a look at the Bruins hiring of Jim Benning as the club’s director of player personnel in her Hockey Notes. Benning had been the Sabres’ director of amateur scouting. Stephen Harris’ NHL Notes had a look at how the Bruins new roster could benefit Wayne Primeau.

NESN has Red Sox/Indians at 7:00.