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Game Story: Red Sox 10, Giants 2

BOSTON — It’s too early to tell if the Red Sox broke out of their team hitting slump last night, but in their series opener with the San Francisco Giants last night, Boston got more than enough timely hits in a 10-2 win.

And while the whole team had been struggling at the plate -- Boston came into the night with a .232 batting average and just 27 runs over its previous 10 games -- the top of the order had been particularly egregious, making it difficult for the Sox’ big boppers, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, to do what they do best: plate runners.

Using a batting order that had J.D. Drew hitting leadoff and Dustin Pedroia number two for the second straight night, manager Terry Francona saw the move pay off against the Giants. Drew and Pedroia combined for Boston’s first seven hits of the game, went 8-for-9 and had all but two of the Red Sox’ RBI in the game.

Boston’s win and the Yankees’ loss to the Mets – their first defeat in 10 games – means that the Red Sox lead in the A.L. East is back to 81/2 games.

Starting pitcher Julian Tavarez, who spent three seasons in San Francisco as a reliever from 1997-99, had one of his best outings of the season, overcoming a rocky start in the process. Tavarez, who saw his record rise to 4-4 and his ERA trimmed to 4.97, got himself down 1-0 just two batters into the game. Red Sox 2005 American League Championship Series hero Dave Roberts, making his first return as a player to Fenway, led off with a single to right, and scored on a double to right by Mark Sweeney.

Sweeney scored on a two-out wild pitch, giving the Giants the early 2-0 lead.

But Pedroia, who became the first Red Sox rookie since Brian Daubach nearly eight years ago to record a five-hit game, erased that deficit in a hurry.

Drew reached after being grazed on the arm, and Pedroia deposited a 1-0 pitch to the third row of the Monster seats to tie the game, his third homer of the year.

It was the last time the game would be so close.

Boston took the lead for good in the third when Drew scored on a Manny Ramirez fielder’s choice. The Sox had the bases loaded with none out in that inning, as Drew singled to left-center, Pedroia had an infield single (that truth be told could have easily been ruled an error), and a walk by Wily Mo Pena. Pena entered the game in the third after designated hitter David Ortiz was ejected in the first for arguing a third strike call.

The Sox effectively put the game away in the fourth, scoring three runs. Drew’s double to dead center scored Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo, and one batter later, Pedroia singled to right, plating Drew.

Pedroia added a two-run double in the eighth, and his 5-for-5 game made him the first Boston player with a five-hit night since Johnny Damon on July 6, 2004 against Oakland.

"The first month of the season we spent so much time trying to defend him when he wasn’t hitting," Francona said of Pedroia. "He hits that first at bat out of the ballpark, he sprayed balls all over the park, and he makes contact. He stays inside that ball. Really, exceptionally well."

With his superb effort, the rookie second baseman raised his average 20 points, to .331. Over his last 22 games, he is hitting .418 (33-for-79) with seven doubles, two home runs and 14 runs batted in.

Pedroia said he had been suffering from the flu for more than a week, and his hands were slow because of it -- which shows in his 5-for-27 (.185) slump in Boston’s previous eight games -- but he certainly seems recovered now.

Drew, who has been called out by fans in recent weeks, as his .230 batting average coming into the night didn’t seem to jibe with the 5-year, $70-million contract he signed to start the season, rebounded from an 0-for-5 night against the Rockies on Thursday. He also peppered the ball all over the field, reaching base in his first four at-bats.

Francona was pleased with the results from his number five starter, Tavarez, who continues to make it difficult for the manager to push him out of the starting rotation in favor of the recovered Jon Lester.

"He started using all of his pitches, he stayed down (with his placement), he got ground balls, he fielded his position," Francona said. "He didn’t get rattled and he ended up pitching a real strong game."

And Tavarez also had one of his head-scratching moments, falling down to cover a ground ball on the first base line in the fifth. Tavarez rolled the ball to Kevin Youkilis at first base, and got it there before Randy Winn hit the bag.

--SHALISE MANZA-YOUNG

Posted by Chris Venditto  at 10:58 PM | Permalink

Lester allows only two runs, PawSox lose 3-0.

PAWTUCKET – Being the competitor that he is, Jon Lester doesn’t consider anything short of a win to be acceptable.

``We had the loss, so that’s the main thing,’’ the 23-year-old southpaw said following the Pawtucket Red Sox’ 3-0 setback to the Richmond Braves last night at McCoy Stadium which snapped their four-game winning streak. ``I’m not out there to pitch seven innings, give up two runs and not get the ‘W.’ So if we win, then that’s a good start. If we don’t, then it’s not.’’

With that said, Lester says he did come off the mound last night feeling considerably better about his eighth rehab start for the PawSox than he did following his previous outing last Saturday against Ottawa when he lasted just 2-2/3 innings after giving up three runs on five hits.

In comparison, he went seven innings last night against the Southern Division-leading Braves, scattering eight hits and giving up two earned runs.

``Command-wise, it was better and stuff-wise it wasn’t any different,’’ said Lester, who threw 61 of his 93 pitches for strikes, recording three strikeouts and two walks. ``I think I had better stuff the other night, but I’m just I glad threw seven and yeah, it was a better night.’’

PawSox manager Ron Johnson was far less critical of Lester’s performance.

``I thought it was pretty good,’’ he said. ``I mean, seven innings, two runs. We’ll take that every time he takes the ball. That’s a good start. Jon gave us more than ample opportunity to win the ballgame. I’m just really pleased to see the way he rebounded from his last start. I know he probably felt we shut him down in the last one – he went 2-2/3 – and to see him come back seven innings against the team with the best record in the league, or real close to it, I thought was very impressive.’’

With no restrictions placed upon him other than a maximum pitch count of 100, Lester retired three out of four batters in each of the first two innings before giving up two runs in the third.

Braves third baseman Wes Timmons led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a sac bunt by Gregor Blanco, then scored from second on Martin Prado’s single to left.

Brayan Pena singled to right, advancing Prado to third. Prado then scored on Graham Koonce’s sac fly to right, although he was nearly thrown out at the plate by PawSox rightfielder David Murphy.

Relieving Lester in the eighth, Mike Burns then gave up an RBI single to Koonce for Richmond’s only other run.

But Pawtucket was unable to get anything going at the plate against the Braves’ pitching staff, which boasts a league-best 3.25 ERA. Ryan Basner was credited with the win, improving to 2-2, while Manny Acosta earned his eighth save.

``You’ve got to tip your hat to their guys,’’ Johnson said of Richmond, which leads the International League South with a 38-27 record. ``They stymied us today. They put it to us . . . and we didn’t even really threaten. We went down (to Richmond last week) and got 3 out of 4 and we won the first one here, but you know what, you know you’re playing a very good ball club. There are reasons why they have that record. You could see it today. And there’s reasons why that pitching staff over there from a numbers standpoint is the top-ranked in the league, so you’re going to have days like that against them. We lost the ballgame, 3-0; we got two hits; they shut us down today offensively. We’ll sleep well and go out (tonight) and see what happens. But I was really pleased with Jon.’’

CAROLYN THORNTON

Posted by Thom Cahir  at 10:38 PM to PawSox | Permalink

FINAL: Red Sox 10, Giants 2

Behind the one-two hitters in the order, J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia -- who combined for eight hits and eight RBI -- the Boston Red Sox won their opener with San Francisco, 10-2.

Julian Tavarez picked up his fourth win of the season, giving up two runs over seven innings.

Boston ended a two-game losing streak with the win.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:16 PM | Permalink

Pedroia's big night

With his 5-for-5 effort at the plate tonight, Dustin Pedroia is the first Red Sox rookie to record a five-hit game since Brian Daubach on Aug. 14, 1999 against Seattle.

Pedroia took his record from .311 to .331 with tonight's game.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Richmond ends PawSox' four-game streak

Managing just two hits on the night, the PawSox failed to extend their four-game winning streak, falling to the Richmond Braves, 3-0, before a McCoy Stadium crowd of 9,126.

The Braves picked up two runs in the third off starter Jon Lester, who gave up eight hits over his seven-inning stint.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 9:33 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Mike Burns relieves Lester in the eighth

Mike Burns has relieved Jon Lester in the eighth.

Lester gave up eight hits and two runs, both of them earned, over his seven-inning stint. He recorded three strikeouts and two walks, throwing 61 of his 93 pitches for strikes.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 9:02 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Still no one up in the bullpen after Lester's scoreless seven

There is still no one warming up in the bullpen after Jon Lester pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Richmond failed to add to its 2-0 lead, thanks in part to a sharp defensive play by Pawtucket shortstop Ed Rogers.

Brent Lillibridge, who had led off the inning with a double and then stole third, broke for home on Wes Timmons’ hard grounder to short. Without hesitation, Rogers fielded the ball and fired it home to catcher George Kottaras. After a brief rundown, Lillibridge was tagged out by Lester.

Then with Gregor Blanco at the plate, Timmons, who made it to second on the previous play, tried to steal third on Lester as Lillibridge had. But this time, Lester picked him off.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 8:51 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Lester retires 3 out of 4 in sixth

Lester is up to 75 pitches through six innings.

He needed eight pitches to strike out Pena, but only one to get Koonce to fly out to center field.

Mendez took the first pitch Lester offered him down the right-field line for a double.

But Lester got Clark to fly out to center field on a 2-and-2 pitch for the third out.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 8:20 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Lester after five

Lester wasn’t quite as efficient in the fifth: 15 pitches, 6 for strikes.

He threw four straight balls to leadoff hitter Corky Miller, then worked a full count against Timmons before striking him out swinging.

Prado then hit a shallow fly ball to right that was caught by McEwing.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 8:11 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

So far, so good for Drew

J.D. Drew is certainly doing his job -- getting on base -- as Boston's leadoff hitter tonight.

Thus far, the slumping rightfielder has got on base in both of his at-bats; in the first, he was grazed by a pitch and came home on a two-run homer by Dustin Pedroia, and here in the third, he had a lazy single to shallow left-center.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:00 PM | Permalink

7-for-7 in the fourth for Lester

It was a quick fourth-inning stint for Lester, as he threw seven pitches, all of them for strikes.

After Mendez flew out to left for the first out, Clark singled to center field. But Lillibridge hit into a 5-4-3 double play.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 7:53 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Richmond takes 2-0 lead in the third against Lester

Richmond has taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the third against Lester, who has thrown 29 pitches, 24 of them for strikes.

Wes Timmons led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a sac bunt by Blanco, then scored from second on Prado’s single to left.

Pena singled to right, advancing Prado to third. Prado then scored on Koonce’s sac fly to right, although he was nearly thrown out at the plate by PawSox rightfielder David Murphy.

Pena got caught in a rundown between first and second and was tagged out to end the inning.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 7:51 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

27 pitches and counting for Lester

Lester just faced four batters in the second inning, throwing 12 pitches.

After Carlos Mendez grounded out to short on the first pitch he saw, Doug Clark beat out a grounder to second.

Brent Lillibridge flew out to right for the second out.

Lester then got Corky Miller to hit a foul popup near the Richmond dugout, which first baseman Jeff Bailey caught for out No. 3.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 7:34 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Ortiz ejected

David Ortiz told the Journal's Steve Krasner before the game today that he was done arguing balls and strikes with umpires -- but apparently he'll stop arguing tomorrow, because he just got himself tossed tonight.

Home plate umpire Tony Randazzo called Ortiz out on a third strike looking; the ball looked to be low but over the plate.

It is Ortiz's sixth career ejection and third with Boston; his last was Aug. 19, 2005 in Anaheim.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:27 PM | Permalink

Lester making eighth start for Pawtucket tonight

Hello from Pawtucket, where the PawSox are hosting the Richmond Braves tonight.
Jon Lester is on the mound, making his eighth start for Pawtucket.

Manager Ron Johnson said prior to the game that the southpaw has no real restrictions except that Johnson plans to keep him ``right around that 100-pitch range.’’

Lester threw 15 pitches in the first inning. He got leadoff hitter Gregor Blanco to ground out to short and Martin Prado to hit a foul popup behind first that was caught by PawSox second baseman Joe McEwing.

Lester than gave up an infield hit to Brayan Pena, but got Graham Koonce to fly out to right to end the inning.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 7:22 PM to PawSox , Thornton | Permalink

Boos for Barry

The booing of Barry Bonds began even before PA announcer Carl Beane said his name, and they continued the entire time he was at bat.

They did turn to cheers when he he looked bad whiffing on a Julian Tavarez pitch that was away.

Fans in the stands are wearing t-shirts with giant asteriks taped on them, and others are holding posters with large asteriks on them as well.

Bonds just launched one to right field, and took his time getting out of the batter's box, believing it to be a home run. Tavarez was trying to wave the ball foul, and it was, though manager Bruce Bochy tried to argue otherwise.

Bonds flew out to Dustin Pedroia in shallow right field on a 3-2 pitch, and the boos followed Bonds until he was back in the dugout.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:16 PM | Permalink

Roberts' reception

Dave Roberts just received a standing ovation from the Fenway crowd that lasted about 30 seconds -- even his former teammates, standing on the top step of the dugout, were applauding Roberts, who flashed a big smile and waved to every corner of the field.

He also pumped his fist and tipped his cap to the crowd.

And he promptly drilled a single to right.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:07 PM | Permalink

Giants lineup change

Ryan Klesko has been scratched from the Giants' lineup with lower back tightness.

Randy Winn will now move down to the three spot from two, and Mark Sweeney will take Klesko's place at first base and bat second.

Here's the new lineup:

Roberts cf
Sweeney 1b
Winn lf
Bonds dh
Durham 2b
Molina c
Feliz 3b
Schierholtz rf
Vizquel ss

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:36 PM | Permalink

Dave Roberts returns

The culprit behind the most famous stolen base in Red Sox history is back at Fenway Park, and Dave Roberts is happy to be here.

"Just flying into the city brought a smile to my face," the outfielder said.

As every Sox fan recalls, it was Roberts' stolen base in game four of the ALCS that kick-started Boston's comeback and ultimately ended 86 years of heartbreak. Roberts said he is approached by Red Sox fans all the time thanking him, including in the men's room at a UCLA football game -- but he was quick to say that the man did keep his eyes north.

Affable and full of smiles, Roberts wants to savor the moment when his name is called for the first at-bat of the night and the Fenway faithful rain cheers on him.

"On the plane flying in, guys said, 'what are you going to do when they call your name and they're cheering? Will you tip your cap,'" Roberts said. "And that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm here for baseball, I'm here to win three games, but I think it would be a disservice to myself and the franchise if I didn't take in the moment."

Of the stolen base, which Roberts called "the biggest play of my career," he said that every time he watches tape of the game, the play at second gets "closer and closer every time. I hope five or 10 years from now (umpire) Joe West doesn't change his mind."

As soon as Roberts walked onto the field today, all of the memories and emotions came back to him -- of the duck boat parade through the city, of the ring ceremony on opening day the next April.

"To be a big leaguer, that's what it's all about," he said.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:53 PM | Permalink

Meeting with Barry

Barry Bonds did take the time to chat with the quite large media contingent here at Fenway tonight, and he perhaps wisely - and thoroughly cynically - brought his own
tape recorder with him to record the conversation.

Before stepping down into the visitors' dugout, Bonds was looking all around the park, up at the left-field luxury boxes and at the Green Monster.

Bonds, who is eight home runs shy of tying Hank Aaron's all-time record, said he expects to serve as DH all three games of the series, adding, "I'm old."

When asked about his reputation, Bonds turned serious.

"I don't know what you consider a bum rap, when there's people -- I mean, I'm sitting in a group and I probably know five of you. You don't know me. So I don't take it personal. I just don't."

Asked more about the boos he hears at every road game -- he's getting booed right now during batting practice -- and the rumors and stories that are rampant, and why he doesn't pay much attention to them, he seemed to blame the media for the perception of him but said he isn't bothered by it.

"It can't. I mean, what does it really mean? What's the motive? What have I ever done to you? So what's the motive? I've never done anything to you, so I just go out here and do my job on the field and play baseball."

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:30 PM | Permalink

Francona's pre-game chat

Terry Francona just wrapped up his pre-game meeting with the media, where he touched on a variety of topics as always.

On pitching to Barry Bonds, Francona said he'll let the situation dictate what happens.

"We'd like to win the game, that would be the goal for today, which is obvious. It's not a perfect formula, but a lot goes into it - who's up (next), the score, outs, who's swinging well."

With tonight's lineup the same as last night - that is, J.D. Drew leading off and Julio Lugo in the nine spot - Francona said he was "as comfortable with the constitution of the lineup" as he's been all year but the team didn't do anything with the changes. Francona prefers stability, but said upcoming road interleague games prevent that. And if the Sox were not in a slump, it wouldn't matter as much.

Of Dave Roberts, who returns to Fenway tonight, Francona joked that if Roberts had been out on his now-infamous steal in the ALCS he wouldn't be a special guy.

Then he got serious and said, "He's such a good kid. We told him, 'stay ready' and he did stay ready."

Roberts will meet with the media at 5pm; as of now, there is no word on whether Bonds will talk.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 4:14 PM | Permalink

Sox Streakers for June 15

From the club's official game notes:

Who's Hot
-Mike Lowell, four-game hitting streak, during which he is 6 for 17 (.353)
-David Ortiz, 19 for 48 (.396) over his last 13 games
-Manny Ramirez, 27 for 64 (.422) over his last 19 games

Who's Not
-The Boston offense. It's batting .232 over the last 10 games, including .159 with runners in scoring position. It has scored two or fewer runs in four straight and seven of nine games.
-J.D. Drew, 0 for 11 over his last four games
-Coco Crisp, 5 for 35 (.143) over his last 10 games
-Julio Lugo, 5 for 38 (.132) over his last 10 games
-Dustin Pedroia, 5 for 27 (.185) over his last eight games

Giants vs. Julian Tavarez
-Ryan Klesko, 2 for 5 (.400)
-Ray Durham, 4 for 11 (.364)
-Omar Vizquel, 1 for 3 (.333)
-Randy Winn, 2 for 7 (.286)
-Barry Bonds, 0 for 4
-Dave Roberts, 0 for 4
-Pedro Feliz, 0 for 5
-Bengie Molina, 0 for 5
-Nate Schierholtz has not faced Tavarez
-Tavarez is 2-3 with a 3.62 E.R.A. for his career against San Francisco

Red Sox vs. Barry Zito
-David Ortiz, 10 for 24 (.417), 2 HR
-Dustin Pedroia, 1 for 3 (.333)
-Kevin Youkilis, 2 for 7 (.286)
-Coco Crisp, 5 for 18 (.278), 1 HR
-Manny Ramirez, 6 for 25 (.240), 3 HR
-Jason Varitek, 6 for 25 (.240)
-Mike Lowell, 2 for 9 (.222)
-Julio Lugo, 3 for 15 (.200)
-J.D. Drew has not faced Zito
-For his career, Zito is 5-5 with a 4.78 E.R.A. against Boston.

More Stuff
-The all-time regular-season series is Giants 2, Red Sox 1. The teams met in San Francisco in June 2004.
-The Red Sox beat the New York Giants in the World Series in 1912, Boston's first season at Fenway Park. Five games were played at Fenway.
-After tonight's game, the only major league club that has never played at Fenway will be the Chicago Cubs.
-Mike Lowell's .393 Fenway batting average is the second-highest home batting average of any qualifying major leaguer. Ichiro Suzuki (.395 at Safeco Field) has the highest.
-Lefty starters are 4-1 with a 2.57 E.R.A. against Boston this year.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 4:07 PM to Projo Sox Streakers | Permalink

Friday's lineup

For the Red Sox, the lineup is the same as it was for yesterday's finale with Colorado:

Drew rf
Pedroia 2b
Ortiz dh
Ramirez lf
Youkilis 1b
Lowell 3b
Varitek c
Crisp cf
Lugo ss

SP: Tavarez

For the Giants

Roberts cf
Winn lf
Klesko 1b
Bonds dh
Durham 2b
Molina c
Feliz 3b
Schierholtz rf
Vizquel ss

SP: Zito

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 3:44 PM | Permalink

Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: More lineup changes to come?

Sean McAdam is back today on Projo SoxTalk to discuss the Red Sox revolving door at the leadoff spot, and to look ahead to what should be a very colorful weekend at Fenway with the San Francisco Giants coming to town. Click here to listen to the audio file. Sean does not see signs of panic in Terry Francona's frequent lineup shuffling, and adds some perspective on Barry Bonds' chase of Hank Aaron's home run record.

Here are some excerpts from Sean's comments:

Is Terry Francona panicking with his lineup switches? "No, I don't think so. i think that obviously Terry Francona is trying to get the offense going; it has been pretty lackuster for the last week and a half. Seven of the last nine games they've scored two runs or fewer, and I guess the only surprise was that he didn't stick with Pedroia in that top spot for longer than that first night. But he has said that sort of extenuating circumstances and moving some people around have led to a little experimentation. And even late last night after that loss, he was unsure about what the batting order would be for this evening. So who knows, there could be more changes coming."

On fans' reactions to Bonds: "Certainly there are enough questions about how Bonds has come to this record or neared this record, and I think if you're a fan of baseball, nevermind a fan of any particular individual, you find yourself a little caught in the middle. Not from a fan or rooting interest, but from a historic standpoint, you know, on the one hand you're about to see one of baseball's and sports' in general most cherished records change, and that in itself is baseball history. But then you start thinking about the circumstances involved, and you wonder if it's anything to celebrate."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:34 AM to Martone , McAdam | Permalink

Baseball Today: Friday, June 15

IT'S OFFICIAL: With two straight losses, three in their last four games, 7 in their last 11, and 9 in their last 14, we have a verdict: The Red Sox are in a slump. And last night against the Rockies, all the signs were there. (projo.com) Their ace got bombed; they wasted opportunity after opportunity offensively; they showed almost zero signs of life once they fell behind. They even act like they're scuffling, switching their lineup around for the third straight day. (projo.com) As a result, the fans are getting a little restless (Boston Globe) even though their first-place lead is still a healthy 7 1/2 games. I'LL TAKE IT: Curt Schilling told WEEI Radio yesterday that if the Red Sox offered him a one-year extension for 2008 worth $13 million right now, he'd accept it. (Boston Herald)

When reminded that he said he wouldn't negotiate during the season if a deal wasn't done by the end of spring training, he responded ''that wouldn’t be a negotiation''. Safe to say Curt really wants to stay here, don't you think?

WHEN TROUBLE STARTS, SO DO TRADE RUMORS: An unattributed blind item in a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes column says the Red Sox ''might'' be trying to obtain Miguel Tejada from the Orioles.

AND POPPING UP IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE: The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the Twins are interested in Mike Lowell, whom the Red Sox may put on the block if they go after Mark Teixiera.

BUT WHAT'S TO WORRY ABOUT? Seth Mnookin isn't concerned . . . much. (sethmnookin.com)

A YOUK SIGHTING!: Kevin Youkilis finally updated his blog. He talks in general terms and doesn't say a word about the Sox' recent dip. He does say he loves the fans, though.

HERE HE COMES: Barry Bonds arrives tonight, and it's safe to say the Boston fans won't be showing him much love (both stories Boston Globe) . . . though Dustin Pedroia, for one, thinks they should. (projo.com) Pedroia, by way of explanation, grew up in California as a Giants fan and went to Bonds' alma mater, Arizona State.

FIGHTING BACK: On the legal front, Bonds' attorneys are now telling prosecutors to back off their client (New York Daily News), and are threatening to go public with what they call evidence of potential wrongdoing by the government.

THE REAL HERO RETURNS: Also coming to town with the Giants is Dave Roberts, making his first on-field appearance at Fenway since the 2004 postseason. (He did come back for the ring ceremony in 2005.) And he's looking forward to it. ''There's very few places a person can go and all their memories are positive,'' he said. (insidebayarea.com) That's certainly true of Roberts and Boston, which will never forget the stolen base that sparked the greatest comeback in the history of baseball. (left, Journal photo by Bob Breidenbach) ''The steal, the parade, the ring ceremony, those are all things I'm going to take with me to my grave,'' he said (mlb.com) Us too, Dave.

MEANWHILE . . . June is busting out all over for the Yankees, whose hot streak has coincided with the Sox' cold one. (New York Daily News) It's not just the Yanks are hot; it's that they look invincible. ''Forget beating the Yankees,'' writes the New York Post's Mike Puma. ''First make them break a sweat.''

YOU'RE NEVER AS GOOD AS YOU LOOK WHEN YOU'RE WINNING: Writing in the New York Sun, Steven Goldman says the Yankees still have weaknesses that need to be addressed.

SCOUT'S EYE VIEW: The Associated Press found a Diamondbacks' scouting report on the Yankees on the floor of the Arizona dugout. (Newsday)

THE LAST WEAPON LEFT: Also busting out all over are "1978" cries from euphoric Yankee fans, something best explained by a poster named bmacfarlane on a Sons of Sam Horn thread: ''[They] don't have 1918 (anymore), the 26 rings thing is a burden to them because they haven't won going on seven years, so they need to hang their hats on something.''

TRAIN WRECK: To make it even better for the Yankees, they now get to play the Mets at a time when the Amazins' are struggling worse than the Red Sox. (New York Daily News)

DON'T BELIEVE IT?: Jon Heyman of si.com says ''almost no team in baseball [is] playing worse than the ultra-talented Mets.''

EXCEPT FOR . . . The Orioles, though, are a contender for that title. (Baltimore Sun)

ON SECOND GLANCE . . . Omar Minaya's offseason doesn't look all that good. (New York Post)

WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT: The blog Lion In Oil has video of the Hong-Chih Kuo bat flip that so angered the Mets the other night.

WHISPERS: Mike Maroth is being shopped by the Tigers (Detroit Free Press) . . . The Rangers are active in the trade market, but the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant says nothing is close.

ON THE SHELF: Astros shortstop (and ex-Red Sox farmhand) Adam Everett could be sidelined for two months after breaking his leg last night. (Houston Chronicle)

OFF THE SHELF . . . MAYBE: Freddy Garcia's injury may not be as bad as the Phillies originally feared. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by Art Martone  at 7:09 AM | Permalink