The Red Sox were shut out at Fenway Park last might 3-0, as the Blue Jays salvaged the last game of the three game series.
Michael Silverman notes that nothing could rescue the Red Sox silent bats last night. Gordon Edes has the Red Sox unable to muster the late inning heroics last night. Art Davidson has the Blue Jays finally able to close one out against the Red Sox. Paul Kenyon has A.J. Burnett shutting down the Red Sox last night. Ron Chimelis has the Red Sox bats kept silent for another night. Bill Ballou has the Red Sox wasting another strong pitching performance. Joe Haggerty says there were no last gasp rallies for the Sox last night. Jeff Goldberg has the Red Sox unable to pull off a third straight comeback.
Rob Bradford looks at the mighty struggles of the Red Sox bats in the last five games. Alex Speier examines how Brandon Moss has proven himself valuable to the Red Sox. Bradford also says that David Ortiz’ knee is still bothering him, and is causing concern. Rich Thompson checks in with Kevin Cash, who has settled into his role behind Jason Varitek on the team and is developing his routine for catching Tim Wakefield.
Sean McAdam looks at the curious scene in the ninth inning when a balk call gave the Red Sox another life against the Jays. Rich Thompson has Toronto closer BJ Ryan having to end the game twice, after a balk call gave the Red Sox another chance. Fluto Shinzawa steps over from the Bruins beat to also write about Ryan and his adventure to end the game.
Bradford has a look at Toronto hitting coach Gary Denbo, who helped Mike Lowell get his career back on track with private coaching after he was traded to the Red Sox. Steven Krasner has the Blue Jays causing themselves more problems on the basepaths.
Over in the Metro, I’ve got a look at how Roger Clemens finally passes Bonds in the ” most troubled baseball player over 40″ category.
Silverman’s notebook has the Red Sox eying Sarasota as a possible spring training site. Edes’ notebook says that clutch hitting is what has separated the Red Sox from the Blue Jays thus far this season. The ProJo notebook has more on the possibility of Sarasota as a future spring training location for the Red Sox. Chimelis’ notebook has Jonathan Papelbon working on his move to first base. Ballou’s notebook has more on Papelbon. Goldberg’s notebook has Ortiz using an elliptical machine to try and strengthen his knee.
Celtics
On the BSMW Full Court Press, Matt Richardson looks at Rajon Rondo’s “Floor Burn to Foul Shot Ratio” and Other Random Musings.
Steve Bulpett says that the Celtics know what they have to do to close out the Hawks in Atlanta tonight. Marc J. Spears has the Celtics needing to leave their baggage at home and focus on closing things out tonight. Kevin McNamara has the Celtics with a few questions to ask themselves heading into the game tonight. Ron Chimelis says that the Celtics may have received a big favor in getting a scare from the Hawks.
Steve Buckley writes about the Celtics avoiding the “biggest choke in Boston sports history” for the moment by winning game five. Dan Shaughnessy says that the Celtics need to stop the madness and end this series tonight in Atlanta. Scott Souza examines whether the Celtics will be up to the challenge of a road playoff game tonight. Bill Doyle has the Celtics trying to avoid a split personality and a game 7 by finishing the series tonight in Atlanta.
Mike Fine says that Sam Cassell isn’t helping the Celtics very much. He can score, sure, but he has not been able to run the offense the way that the Celtics need when Rajon Rondo is out of the game. Bulpett’s notebook has Doc Rivers hoping for a repeat performance from Paul Pierce tonight.
Patriots
Mike Reiss has Jerod Mayo getting his first look at Gillette Stadium yesterday. Karen Guregian has Mayo liking what he sees around Foxboro. Mark Farinella has the rookie linebacker already getting a sense of how the Patriots operate. Christopher Price has Mayo excited to get started with the Patriots.
Rich Garven has Mayo ready to get to work. Douglas Flynn says that it is obvious that the Patriots have a very “excited” and happy camper on their hands. Shalise Manza Young has Mayo getting a chance to talk with owner Robert Kraft and check out his new work environment. David Heuschkel has more on Mayo being introduced at Gillette.
Farinella has Ben Coates, Jon Morris and Jim Nance up for nomination into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Noting that Patriots fans will be doing the voting, Guregian talks to Coates and Morris about the honor. Young has more on the nominations and the voting which goes through July 4.
Chris Gasper’s notebook reports that Ellis Hobbs needed a second surgery to repair a sports hernia, but is expected to be ready for camp in July.
Misc
David Scott has more reaction to the HBO sports media special.
Nancy Marrapese-Burrell looks at the extended coverage of this weekend’s Kentucky Derby on NBC.
Boston Sports Media Watch 