Good Riddance to the Trop

Back again to wrap up the week as Bruce continues his R&R weekend.

Heading into last night, there were only two certainties in life – the Sox can’t beat the Yankees in August (3-15 since winning their first World Series in 86 years), and the Sox can’t win at Tropicana Field (3-15 since late 2007). But then another solid outing by emerging Number 3 starter Clay Buchholz dashed the latter, as the Sox took the rubber game in Tampa with a 6-3 win.

Joe McDonald was last night’s first responder, so he leads off today with Buchholz glad to get his first win against an American team. John Beattie says Buchholz has matured a lot over the season as evidenced by his overcoming a rough start last night.

John Tomase thinks the Sox are one of the elite in MLB again, after winning their first series in the Trop since September 2007. McDonald has Boston glad to see the last of Tropicana Field this season. Sean McAdam says the Sox won’t have to worry about Tampa Bay any more.

Alex Speier names the Sox outfield the best in the AL after fourth outfielder Rocco Baldelli took the Rays’ David Price deep. Rob Bradford analyzes the Daniel Bard vs. Evan Longoria matchup that ended – favorably – in three pitches last night.

Some more good news, as McDonald reports Tim Wakefield’s side session went well yesterday, but McAdam says it’s still not certain Wake will get his scheduled start in Chicago tomorrow.

Tomase’s Red Sox Notebook has the MLB front office getting rich on Jonathan Papelbon’s slow pace. Adam Kilgore has pitching coach John Farrell less than sympathetic to Papelbon’s woes.

And now, our daily tour of that retirement home of ex-Sox pitchers known as the NL continues, where the Boston Herald has Pedro punching out nine for his third win last night in Philly. Why can’t we . . . ahh, never mind!

Patriots

Christopher L. Gasper seems to think last night’s come-from-behind 38-27 victory over the Giants lacked the drama of Super Bowl XLII. However, Chris Price says the Pats and Giants nearly pulled off the impossible for a preseason game. Bob Ryan sure found it a lot of fun, especially the part after former Maine standout Brandon McGowan’s pick-6 started the comeback. Chris Warner says this one started off with all the excitement of a dental appointment but turned positive after the first quarter.

It was a wire-to-wire act for presumably third-string QB Brian Hoyer, who threw for 242 yards as the Pats close out the preseason at 3-1. Ian R. Rapoport has the rookie stumbling early, then leading the comeback. Jennifer Toland says it was a good night for Hoyer and for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but she doesn’t commit to either making the squad. Shalise Manza Young says that Hoyer going all the way could be a very, very good thing for Andrew Walter . . . or very, very bad. Walter’s benching makes Karen Guregian scratch her head.

TE Benjamin Watson saw a lot of action last night as well, and that is probably a very, very bad thing. Mike Reiss calls Watson’s on-field presence “notable.” Rapoport’s Patriots Notebook puts Watson squarely on the bubble with cuts down to a 53-man roster coming tomorrow. Young has Watson refusing to be concerned over tomorrow’s fate.

Deutsche Bank Championship

They’re teeing off this morning at TPC Boston in Norton, and Paul Gaeta puts Tiger Woods atop his list of five to watch. Bill Doyle has Tiger looking to break his string of seconds this weekend. Michael Whitmer has Woods happy to be back in Boston after missing the Deutsche Bank last year due to knee surgery. Ron Borges thinks Tiger’s recent sputtering is giving golf what it needs. Steve Bulpett says Ernie Els is indeed in Norton, but he’s still not where he’s supposed to be.

Whitmer has a unique quintet winning the amateur portion of the Deutsche Bank last night.

The Inside Track has Tiger and Ray Allen exchanging gifts, while Borges has Tiger and Tom Brady sharing ACL injuries.

Odds & Sods

Mark Blaudschun has ex-Eagles coach Jeff Jagodzinski’s firing sending shock waves throughout the NFL, though nothing is mentioned of any tears being shed on Chestnut Hill.

Joe Haggerty has the Bruins announcing a Claude Julien contract extension this morning.

Since my college days working in a hot kitchen throughout sweltering summers, the Labor Day weekend has always been particularly welcoming to me. Whether it’s the start of football, back to school, or the cooler and drier air, I hope you all find true refreshment in the holiday and the days beyond. I’ll see you right back here bright and early on Tuesday morning, but be sure to check in on Monday as you never know what might come up.