John Smoltz struggled once again last night, giving up 10 hits and 5 runs in 6 innings of work, and the Red Sox offense, batting without AL MVP Dustin Pedroia was dominated by rookie Brett Anderson, who pitched a complete game two-hit shutout while striking out nine in the A’s 6-0 victory at Fenway Park.
Adam Kilgore has the Red Sox bats slumping as we edge closer to the All Star break. Michael Silverman notes that out of two important firsts last night at Fenway Park, only one went well. Joe McDonald says that it was a bizarre night at Fenway Park. Ron Chimelis has Smoltz getting outpitched in his Fenway debut. Bill Ballou says that the beginning of Smoltz’s career with the Red Sox has not been promising at all. Ken Lechtanski has Smoltz remaining upbeat.
Brian MacPherson has the Fenway faithful saluting Nomar Garciaparra in his first return to Fenway since the 2004 trade that sent him to Chicago. Ron Borges has Nomar getting the tribute from the fans, and giving them a piece of himself. Dan Shaughnessy remembers the good…and bad…of Nomar’s time with the Red Sox. Kevin McNamara has a mutual admiration society on display last night. He also has Nomar saying that a genetic condition hampers his recovery from injuries. Mike Petraglia has Nomar getting a chance to say “Thank You.”
Lenny Megliola has Nomar being welcomed home. Dan Lamothe brags about being ahead of the curve on souring towards Nomar, but was glad to see him acknowledged last night. Chimelis has more on the warm Fenway welcome for Garciaparra last night. Mike Fine has Sox fans letting Nomar know that all is forgiven. Kevin Thomas has Nomar and Sox fans taking the high road last night. Maureen Mullen says that last night was another moment to remember for Nomar.
Nick Cafardo says that John Smoltz and the Red Sox are still waiting to see his best stuff. Rich Thompson has Smoltz saying that he made progress despite the loss last night. Alex Speier says that it is getting clear that the Sox need to find another bat. Thompson has Aaron Bates making his major league debut for the Red Sox last night. Tom Caron says that making out a lineup card isn’t easy. Thomas has more on Bates going from the back burner to Fenway.
Borges has Brett Anderson stealing the spotlight last night. Check the Bay Area Sports page for coverage from the West coast.
Kilgore’s notebook looks at how Aaron Bates happened to be playing first base for the Red Sox last night. Silverman’s notebook has more on Pedroia’s absence from the lineup last night. McDonald’s Red Sox journal has more on Bates making his MLB debut. Chimelis’ notebook has more on Bates. Ballou’s notebook checks the welcome for Nomar.
Celtics
Frank Dell’Apa has Danny Ainge confirming that the Celtics are making a push for Grant Hill. Bill Burt says that the Rasheed Wallace signing shows that the Celtics are serious about winning banner # 18. Paul Kenyon says that the Celtics are clearly trying to win now, and are not concerned about the future. Mark Murphy has the younger Celtics realizing that its going to be tough to make this team, let alone get playing time.
Paul Flannery talks with Wallace’s high school coach. Jeff Goodman says that swapping Big Baby for Wallace gives the Celtics a better shot at a title.
Murphy’s notebook has Magic GM Otis Smith downplaying interest in Glen Davis.
As noted here last night, Marc J Spears is leaving the Globe for Yahoo! Sports.
Stephen Harris looks at the Bruins success in developing young players.
Boston Sports Media Watch 
No surprise that CHB brings up the negative stuff with Nomar as he was his harshest critic. Granted, some of it was deserved back then during his last few seasons here but last night was about the fans having the opportunity after five years to welcome him back and for him to acknowledge them, which was a great moment. Leave it to Shank though to be the turd in the punchbowl.
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