MLB: Bosox lose again
Adam Kennedy homered on the first pitch of the game and the A’s outslugged the Red Sox 8-6 last night in Boston. Oakland started with five runs and four hits in the first inning against Brad Penny (7-5) . . . Justin Verlander (7-5) struck out 13 as the Tigers beat Texas 13-5 . . . Howie Kendrick homered and drove in a career-high five runs in the Angels 9-3 win over the Indians . . . Roy Halladay (11-4) gave up a season-high 11 hits in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners . . . Justin Upton homered as the Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 4-0. Phillies CF Shane Victorino left in the seventh with a left knee contusion. . . . Albert Pujols lined an RBI single over the head of center fielder Matt Kemp with two outs in the 15th inning, giving the Cardinals a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers
HOOPS: Liberty host Mystics
The Liberty (6-10) face the Mystics tonight (7:30, MSG) at the Garden having lost two in a row and unable to finish the first half of their 34-game schedule higher than sixth place in the seven-team Eastern Conference. A playoff team in four of the past five seasons and nine of 12 overall, the Liberty are in increasing danger of missing the postseason. — Jonathan Lehman
SOCCER: Red Bulls in key test
The Red Bulls know tonight’s CONCACAF Champions League prelim at W Connection (FSC; 8:00) will not only determine their season — and it’s already one of the worst seasons in MLS history — it likely will decide if the team is broken up and overhauled this winter, coaches, front office and all. “This basically is our season come down to the two games,” sporting director Jeff Agoos said. — Brian Lewis
* After playing to a 1-1 tie in regulation, Everton came away with a 4-3 victory on penalty kicks in the MLS All-Star Game last night in Sandy, Utah. Everton’s Tim Howard, the U.S. national team goalkeeper, was voted the MVP.
ETC: Redskins say no to Vick
Add the Redskins to the growing list of NFL teams that say they aren’t interested in Michael Vick. Asked about Vick, Redskins coach Jim Zorn ruled out signing the former Falcons quarterback “at this juncture.”
* In Woodland, Calif., the brother of Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will serve time in one year in jail after being convicted of child molestation charges.