Some of the Boston Red Sox’s heaviest hitters are getting a night off after helping the team clinch the American League East. The Red Sox won another division title Wednesday night despite losing to the New York Yankees 5-3 after first baseman Mark Teixeira’s walk-off grand slam. And Boston is in full playoff mode now, making sure its starters get some rest Thursday before the real hard work begins. Aaron Hill is leading off and playing third base as Brock Holt and Boston’s usual No.-1 hitter Dustin Pedroia are out of Thursday’s lineup. Deven Marrero will start at second base in Pedroia’s stead and bat last, while Travis Shaw takes over at ... NESN.com
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Tom Werner Echoes John Farrell: One Inning Can’t Take Away From Extraordinary Year
The Boston Red Sox didn’t beat the New York Yankees on Wednesday, but there still was plenty to celebrate afterward. A Mark Teixeira ninth-inning grand slam lifted the Yankees to a 5-3 walk-off win, but as Red Sox manager John Farrell told his players in the clubhouse after the loss, that doesn’t take away from their accomplishment of winning the American League East. And Red Sox chairman Tom Werner echoed those words to NESN’s Gary Striewski. “It’s always great to win in New York, and what a crazy last inning that was,” Werner said, as aired on “Red Sox Final.” “As John Farrell said, one inning can’t take away from what’s been a... NESN.com
Why Danny Ainge Doesn’t Buy That Paul Pierce Is Retiring Next Season
WALTHAM, Mass. — Paul Pierce pulled a Kobe Bryant on Monday, announcing this upcoming season will be his last. But his former boss believes it could be more of a Michael Jordan situation. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was asked Monday at the team’s media day what he thought of Pierce stepping away after the 2016-17 campaign, but he didn’t sound too sure that’d actually be the case. “First of all, I think Paul can play for a few more years,” Ainge said. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” So why does Ainge, who won an NBA title with Pierce in 2008 and spent roughly a decade with the 10-time All-Star,
UFC Fight Night Brasilia Results: Cris Cyborg Pulverizes Lina Lansberg In Main Event
Lina Lansberg lasted until the second round Saturday at UFC Fight Night Brasilia, but she still was no match for Cris Cyborg. Cyborg dominated the bout from start to finish in front of her hometown fans in Brazil, and she ultimately picked up a TKO victory at 2:29 in Round 2. There were plenty of other exciting fights, too, and you can see how everyone did in the full results from UFC Fight Night Brazil below: Main CardCris Cyborg def. Lina Lansberg, TKO (Round 2, 2:29)Renan Barao def. Phillipe Nover, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)Roy Nelson def. Antonio Silva, KO (Round 2, 4:10)Francisco Trinaldo... NESN.com
Rob Gronkowski’s Nike Zoom Train Toranada ‘Gronk’ Sneaker Now On Sale
One need not be as big as Rob Gronkowski to train like him. The New England Patriots tight end now has a signature sneaker line to his name, as Nike released the Zoom Train Toranada “Gronk” for sale to the public Saturday. After days of teasing, Gronkowski and Nike shared photos of the sneaker in various colors on their respective Twitter accounts. The “Gronk” men’s training shoe is listed at $ 110. Features include “stability and responsive cushioning thanks to an adjustable midfoot strap and a Nike Zoom Air unit under the heel,” Nike says on its website. “Forefoot flex grooves and engineered mesh deliver a lightweight, natur... NESN.com
UMass Vs. Mississippi State Highlights NESN’s Saturday College Football Schedule
The UMass Minutemen will face another Power Five school Saturday, and you can watch it all unfold live on NESNplus. The Minutemen are coming off their first win of the season, a 21-13 victory over Florida International, but just like their first two games of the season, their next contest comes against a Power Five school in Mississippi State this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. The UMass-Mississippi State game will be the second of three contests aired on NESNplus this Saturday. James Madison and Maine will be up first at noon, while Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee State will close things out at 7 p.m. ACC fans also will... NESN.com
Patriots Pick Six: Jamie Collins, Malcolm Butler Star Vs. Texans In Win
FOXBORO, Mass. — It turns out the New England Patriots were just fine without Jimmy Garoppolo. Oh, and Tom Brady, Dont’a Hightower, Dion Lewis, Sebastian Vollmer and a good 80 percent of Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots embarrassed the Houston Texans 27-0 with rookie Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. The nicest thing one could say about the Texans’ offense is they crossed the 50-yard line. And it took them until late in the third quarter to do so. This Patriots team could be historically good when Brady returns. Here are the Patriots’ six stars of the game. LB JAMIE COLLINSCollins had a huge game on a big, primetime... NESN.com