--Why are so many bats dying mysteriously in New England? No one can figure out why, which doesn't bode well. [Boston Globe] --The Natick Collection appears to be in trouble. Perhaps it's because no one realizes that "Collection" actually means "fancy mall." And the attitude of some of the owners, including one who said "We have to educate our customers on style" isn't helping. [Boston Globe] --At least one local blog is shocked after......

We honestly don't have much new to say about this afternoon's game. Win, and everything's forgotten and it's 0-0 against Cleveland. Lose - the unthinkable - and God only knows how ugly it's going to get in this town. Doc needs to coach like he's NOT being mugged, coaching a playoff game and watching his house burn down at the same time. Pierce needs to be smart and not give the refs a reason/chance to......

We're not so sure about the name (is he from Cleveland?), but one thing's for sure: Big Brown made history by being the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby from the 20th post since 1929, and the first horse since 1915 to win the Derby with three or fewer starts. Sadly, his victory was marred by the death of filly Eight Belles, who finished second in the race but pulled up poorly, broke two......

Twins ace Johan Santana only made it five innings, but that was more than enough to send the Red Sox bats into a tizzy from which they never recovered. The Minnesota bullpen, if anything, was sharper than the starter, and the result was a 2-1 loss and the waste of a very good outing from Sox starter Julian Tavarez. Tavarez went six, giving up only four hits and two runs, while striking out seven. But......

Bostonist would much rather sit in an obstructed view right field seat behind a sign-wielding fan gabbing on his cell phone than trade in Fenway Park for a newer model. Whenever Tim Wakefield takes the mound in a domed facility, however, we can't help but wish that there was a canopy or something that the Fenway crew could erect over the ballpark every five days. The typically fluttery knuckleball becomes even screwier, allowing Wakefield to......

6-0. Sounds good, doesn't it? Well, it looked grim for a while for Josh Beckett and the Sox. Dan Johnson broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the sixth with an RBI single, but the Sox rallied off 2 off the Oakland bullpen in the bottom of the inning. Then Okajima and Timlin shut the A's down, and just like that, Beckett became the majors' first six-game winner in the 6-4 triumph. Bostonist hearts......

In national sports news, there's a new star in heaven today. Kentucky Derby winner Barabaro lost his long battle with leg injuries and was put to sleep. We feel really sad losing an old friend - not so much the horse, but the easy go-to "I hear he's in stable condition" joke that served us so well, and now will have to be shelved until another thoroughbred is in trouble. Alas. Not ready to......

Celtics 110, Wizards 115: Look at that score! Bostonist was worried that the Celtics would be wiped out by Gilbert "Agent Zero" & Co., but the Wizards must've been checked out. The Celtics tied the game, but the Wizards won in overtime. The valiant Celtics were Ryan Gomes, who scored 31, and Al Jefferson, who scored 23. The Bruins lost to Ottawa zero to three yesterday, but a pretty big rumble broke out on the......

War! The Charles River, which is typically invaded by tourists in Duckboats, will have an unexpected rival this week. The question: Is there enough room in our dirty water for Ducks AND Dragons? Now before you think the Bostonist has completely flipped our lid, check out The Boston Dragon Boat Festival coming to town this Sunday, June 12. Bostonist didn't believe it at first, but the prospect of giant metal World War II duck boats......