Wake, Papi Power Sox Over Oakland

Be sure to jump into the discussion of the all-time Boston TV Sports Anchors.

Tim Wakefield won his 11th game of the season last night, and David Ortiz hit a three-run homer, his 10th of the season to lead the Red Sox to a 5-4 win over the Oakland A’s at Fenway Park last night.

Nick Cafardo has Big Papi knocking in four of the five Boston runs last night. Michael Silverman has Papi providing the offense in support of Wakefield. Dom Amore has the Red Sox doing just enough to win once again. Harry Plumer has Ortiz returning to the big time. Robert Lee has Wakefield continuing his unforgettable season. Bill Ballou has Wakefield wrapping up the best first-half of his career. Jim Fenton has Wakefield and Ortiz teaming up for the win.

Steve Buckley says that Wakefield deserves to be the starting pitcher for the AL in the All Star game. Lenny Megliola is all over the ballyard in his column today. Amalie Benjamin says that we’re seeing the old familiar Big Papi. Brian MacPherson says that that Terry Francona predicted that we would see this. Daniel Barbarisi has more on the Ortiz of old coming back.

Sean McAdam says that the price for Roy Halladay would be very, very high. Rob Bradford says that you can count Josh Beckett among Halladay’s admirers.

Barbarisi has Jacoby Ellsbury working to ensure he doesn’t wear out on the basepaths in the second half of the season, as he did last year. Buckley has Manny Delcarmen getting used to hearing his name in trade rumors.  Lee recounts another white-knuckle save for Jonathan Papelbon. Barbarisi has Nick Green unable to get his foot on the bag in a late inning play. Adam Smartschan says that the 2006 draft is starting to pay dividends for the Red Sox.

Check Bay Area Sports for coverage from Northern California on the game.

Cafardo’s notebook reports that the Red Sox have not yet inquired about Toronto ace Roy Halladay. The Herald notebook has Julio Lugo absent last night because of a serious family matter. Amore’s notebook has Jonathan Papelbon recording another shaky save. Plumer’s notebook has the Red Sox optioning Jed Lowrie to Lowell. Barbarisi’s Red Sox journal has more on why Lowrie is in Lowell. Ballou’s notebook has Green avoiding an error on the play mentioned above.

Celtics

The Celtics will introduce Rasheed Wallace this afternoon at 4:00.

Frank Dell’Apa and Marc J. Spears report that the Wallace deal is for two years plus a player option for a third. Mark Murphy says that the Celtics had the perfect pitchmen to attract Wallace. Scott Souza says Wallace is a perfect fit for the Celtics system. Ron Chimelis praises the move as well. Jeff Howe says that the Celtics are back to being a contender.

The Globe notebook  has Doc Rivers continuing to court Grant Hill. Murphy’s notebook has Lester Hudson breaking his finger in summer league play, putting his status with the Celtics up in the air.

Bruins

Stephen Harris has former BU star Jason Lawrence hoping to impress the Bruins in developmental camp. Fluto Shinzawa has David Krejci happy with his new contract. Mike Loftus has Lane MacDermid reminding some of his dad. He also has an interesting “inside” story on the drafting of Ben Sexton by the Bruins. Harris’ notebook has defense prospect Tommy Cross back on the ice.

 Misc

Dan Shaughnessy offers his thoughts on a wide variety of topics in the sports world. He’s also enthralled by the Dos Equis commercials with the most interesting man in the world. Warning…it’s also very Manny-centric, since Dan splits his time these days between Boston and Los Angeles.

Bill Burt also weights in on a number of topic, mostly Red Sox and Patriots, the latter of which he passes along a couple of rumors on.

Jeff Jacobs asks if you want hero worship from the sports media, or the truth.

David Willis isn’t happy with all the ads you see everywhere in the world of sports. Buddy Thomas has similar thoughts.

Michael Felger has a mailbag.