Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
"It was great — when you put 12 runs on the board it makes it easier on the pitcher,” said Bedard, who had seen an average of only 3.46 runs in support in his first five starts since coming over at the July 31 trade deadline from the Seattle Mariners. “We got some key hits, a grand slam, another home run from Salty (Jarrod Saltalamacchia) – we just played good tonight.”
[...]
“I threw a lot of pitches in the first couple of innings,” said Bedard. “Just tried to battle, throw strikes and keep the ball down. Eventually I did and got through six and we scored some runs.”
Bedard faced the minimum in his final three innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four.
“I was just missing a lot with my fastball early in the game,” said Bedard. “Gradually, as the game went on, I got better and better.”
Herald: Big bats back Erik Bedard in first win
It is about time Erik Bedard won a game in a Red Sox uniform. Since the trade and prior to his start yesterday, Bedard was 0-2 with 3 no-decisions. I was beginning to think that Bedard and Wakefield were having a competition on who could go the longest without a victory. Bedard lost.
After the harsh blow to the gut Texas gave the Sox on Friday, Bedard handled them pretty well by holding them to just 3 runs over 6 innings. The next step is figuring out how to win with a bit less run support.
Related: CSNNE: Bedard picks up first Sox win | WEEI: Red Sox finally give Erik Bedard run support, and he finally wins | Globe: Bedard is finally over hump
(Photo credit: AP)
On Page 2, The Red Sox clinch a division title
(Photo: Pawtucket Times)
You can pop the champagne. For the first time in eight years, the PawSox have claimed the International League North division title.
[...]
"It felt great," said Lavarnway. "It definitely feels better to have won the division and clinched it on a high note, especially with a comeback win. It's more gratifying this way."
"They've earned it. You look at that game tonight, these guys have played nine innings all year long," manager Arnie Beyeler said. "On a night like tonight, to do what they did is icing on the cake. It shows how they've battled all year."
Projo: Lavarnway lifts Pawsox to division title
Yeah, that's right, the Pawtucket Red Sox clinched their IL North division. In no way was my lead into this story misleading. Look at all the excitement on Lavarnway's face, he could barely contain himself.
We send our congratulations out to the Pawtucket Red Sox for winning their first IL north title in 8 years.
The rest of the links:
Globe: A grandiose win for Red Sox | Herald: Jed Lowrie improving by degree | WEEI: Carl Crawford bounces back from illness | Projo: Ex-Red Sox Kottaras hits for cycle
Original Story:
