manager terry francona

1. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon picked up six huge outs in ALCS Game 5 to give his team a chance to rally, even if those outs followed a double by red-hot B.J.

Upton that scored two runners he inherited. It took Papelbon 38 pitches to get those six outs, the most pitches he has thrown in a game since Aug. 20, 2006, and the third most since he converted to a reliever in 2005.

But, because of the wildness of Manny Delcarmen (two batters, two walks), manager Terry Francona made the right move by getting Papelbon into the game when he did, in the seventh.

Josh Beckett was scratched again from a scheduled start, and the Boston Red Sox ace plans to have his ailing right elbow examined by Dr.

James Andrews. Beckett is to see Dr. Andrews in Alabama on Friday, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after Thursday's 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

A serious injury to Beckett would be a major blow to Boston, trying to repeat as World Series champions.

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets were picked as the starting pitchers for Tuesday night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

Lee is 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA, a remarkable resurgence after the left-hander was demoted to the minors last season.

He was chosen by American League manager Terry Francona of Boston. "I'm just honored to be here, to be honest with you," Lee said Monday.

"To get the start is just icing on the cake. ... I'm kind of awe-struck by it.

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets will be the starting pitchers in Tuesday night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

Lee is 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA, a remarkable resurgence after the left-hander was demoted to the minors last season.

He was chosen by American League manager Terry Francona of Boston.

The Boston Red Sox have threatened to boycott their season-opening games in Japan unless their coaches and other staff are paid for making the trip.

Mike Lowell has told The Boston Globe the team voted unanimously not to play their final spring training game or to board the plane to Japan later Wednesday.

Manager Terry Francona and his players were upset after learning coaches and other staff are not going to get a $40,000 stipend that the players are receiving.

The Boston Red Sox have threatened to boycott their season-opening games in Japan unless their coaches and other staff are paid for making the trip.

Mike Lowell has told The Boston Globe the team voted unanimously not to play their final spring training game or to board the plane to Japan later Wednesday.

Manager Terry Francona and his players were upset after learning coaches and other staff are not going to get a $40,000 stipend that the players are receiving.

Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the Boston Red Sox's regular-season opener against the Oakland Athletics in Toyko on March 25.

"I think that will be a ton of excitement," Boston manager Terry Francona said before Monday's exhibition game against the New York Yankees.

"I know he's honored." John Lester will pitch the second game of the two-game series with the Athletics in Japan on March 26.

Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the Boston Red Sox's regular-season opener against the Oakland Athletics in Toyko on March 25.

"I think that will be a ton of excitement," Boston manager Terry Francona said before Monday's exhibition game against the New York Yankees.

"I know he's honored." John Lester will pitch the second game of the two-game series with the Athletics in Japan...