Sox sign draft picks

Ryan Dent, the team's second pick in the draft (No. 62), has officially signed. Dent is a shortstop out of Woodrow Wilson High School in California. He appeared ready to sign when the team was in San Diego, but the deal was held up for about six weeks before getting done.

Hunter Morris, the team's third pick in the draft (No. 84, second round), will not be signing with the Sox. Morris is a high school third baseman from Alabama.

Globe

Also, in relation to Clay Buchholz being rumored to start in the second game of the doubleheader Friday, the Red Sox haven't announced who the second starter is. The only thing they will say is Beckett and Schilling won't start either.

Wily Mo could be designated for assignment

The Red Sox are designating outfielder Wily Mo Pena for assignment to create a roster spot of Clay Buchholz. That would give the Sox 10 days to either trade or release Pena. If Buchholz comes up, he could be optioned back to the PawSox after the game, creating an opening for veteran outfielder Bobby Kielty.

Real GM

Celts Preseason Schedule

For the diehards..

The Celtics announced today their 2007 preseason schedule, which will open on Saturday October 6, 2007 against the Toronto Raptors at the Pala Lottomatica in Rome, Italy.The eight-game line-up includes a contest at the O2, London’s new state of the art NBA style arena, where the Celtics will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The preseason schedule is as follows:
Oct. 6 Raptors Pala Lottomatica (Rome, Italy) 2:30 PM ET
Oct. 10 Timberwolves London 2:30 PM ET
Oct. 17 Knicks TD Banknorth Garden (Boston, MA) 7:30 PM ET
Oct. 19 Nets DCU Center (Worcester, MA) 7:30 PM ET
Oct. 20 76ers Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT) 7:30 PM ET
Oct. 22 at Knicks 7:30 PM ETOct. 23 at Nets 7:30 PM ET
Oct. 26 Cavaliers TD Banknorth Garden (Boston, MA) 7:30 PM ET

Coocoo for Coco

Red Sox - 2
Devil Rays - 1
Final

W: Gagne (3-0)
L: Reyes (1-2)

This game was full of comebacks and reasons to smile. Jon Lester made his 2007 Fenway debut and received about 4 standing ovations. He pitched extremely well, going 7 innings, allowing just 1 ER and just 2 hits, striking out 4. Jon didn't pick up the victory because it was a 1-0 Devil Rays advantage for the entire game. Mike Timlin came up huge striking out BJ Upton with the bases loaded and ending the 8th. Eric Gagne also made his own "comeback." After pitching poorly in his first few Red Sox games Eric Gagne struck out the side in the 9th inning setting up what Jerry Remy called one of the most exciting Red Sox victories of the year. Mike Lowell tied the game with a solo home run and Coco Crisp won the game on an RBI single knocking in Jason Varitek. Coco had been out for a few games with what the Red Sox believed was some sort of virus. It's exciting because the Sox gained a game on the Yankees and the team performed well.

Box Score

Pierce confirms Miller/Celtics talks

Paul Pierce confirmed on Monday that the Celtics have been talking to Reggie Miller.

“All I know is that he’s talked to Danny and Doc (Rivers, coach), which is a good thing, because they know him a lot better than I know him," said Pierce.

"After all, he’s one of them. He’s a lot closer to their age than mine.

“But I talked with (Rivers) a couple of days ago and told him, ‘See, now that we’re putting together this type of team, everyone wants to be a part of it.”

RealGM

Wakefield, Sox blank Devil Rays

Red Sox - 3
D-Rays - 0
Final

W: Wakefield (14-10)
L: Shields (9-8)
S: Papelbon (28)

Tim Wakefield continued his dominance over Tampa Bay Monday by throwing an 8 inning shutout and picking up his 18th victory against the Devil Rays. The 40 year old carried a no hitter into the 7th inning, allowing only two hits and striking out six. It was his most impressive outing in a long time. For most of the night the offense was pretty quiet but Big Papi David Ortiz started them off on the right foot with his one-run double that put the Sox on the board in the 1st. Then Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo both knocked in RBI's later to put the Sox on top. Lights out closer Jonathan Papelbon came in in the 9th and struck out the first two batters he faced. Then he walked BJ Upton but was able to get the next hitter to ground out. Awesome game. Jon Lester makes his long awaited return to Fenway Park tommorow and is sure to get a standing ovation.

Box Score

Celtics likely out of Brown hunt

By giving $1.5 million of their $5.36 million mid-level exception to Eddie House, the Celtics probably fell out of range for free agent power forward P.J. Brown, who as of last week was being courted especially hard by Dallas. “There’s several things going on regarding P.J.,” said Mark Bartlestein, his agent. “The Celtics are a little limited right now in what they can do. But I think he would like to stay close to his kids.”

RealGM

Gagne blows it AGAIN

Orioles - 6

Red Sox - 3

Final/10

W: Bradford (1-4)
L: Snyder (2-3)

For the second time in the series Eric Gagne and the Boston Red Sox bullpen blew the lead and the game. Gagne allowed a two run home run in the 8th to Miguel Tejada that tied the game. Then a poor managing decision by Terry Francona to leave Kyle Synder in to face Kevin Millar resulted in the game winning 3-run home run. Curt Schilling pitched well when he was in there though as well as Manny Delcarmen who came up with three clutch strikeouts in the 9th to send it to extras. This game was disasterous though. It's sad that Hideki Okajima who was having a great year lost his job to this guy. Seriously, what's wrong with Eric Gagne? He's allowed 8 earned runs in 6 appearences.

Box Score

Beckett pitches gem to lead Sox to victory

Red Sox - 6
Orioles - 2
Final

W: Beckett (15-5)
L: Olson (1-1)
S: Papelbon (27)

Josh Beckett picked up his MLB-leading 15th victory tonight on a strong performance that came close to a complete game shutout not once but twice. But finally he was up to 115 pitches and just couldn't go any longer. Manny Delcarmen came in but walked the first batter he faced. It took lights out closer Jonathan Papelbon to get the final out. Terry Francona didn't want to get the fans even more angry after last night's devestating loss. Beckett struck out 8 over 8 and 2/3 and only allowed 2 earned runnings that came in the 9th. The offense was led by JD Drew (3 for 5, 2 RBI) and Julio Lugo (2-3, 2 RBI). The Red Sox evened up the series with the victory tonight and Curt Schilling looks to win the series for the Sox tommorow.

Box Score

Pats lose first preseason game

Buccaneers - 13
Patriots - 10
Final

The Pats lost a tough, overall boring preseason game 13-10 on a last second field goal by Tampa Bay kicker Matt Bryant. It was more of a second string oriented game with the starters seeing not much action though. A lot of our rookies played well and the line blocked great the entire game.

Tom Brady: 5/7 34 passing yards
Matt Cassel: 4/7 32 passing yards
Matt Gutierrez: 6/10 passing 66 yards
Sammy Morris: 27 rushing yards, 1 TD
Stephen Gostowski: 4 points, 1/1 FG, 1/1 XP
Adalius Thomas: 3 tackles
Jarvis Green: 1 sack, 2 tackles
Mike Wright: 1 sack, 4 tackles
Justin Rogers: 1 sack, 4 tackles
Brandon Meriweather: 3 tackles
Oscar Lua: 5 tackles

Box Score

Next game: Friday August 17 vs. Tennessee at 8:00 PM EST