Bergeron sits out practice

ESPN Boston:   WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (upper-body injury) was the only player to miss practice Tuesday at Ristuccia Arena, but afterward coach Claude Julien made it clear the team’s assistant captain will be in the lineup for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at TD Garden. 

Bergeron suffered the injury in Game 5. He played the entire Game 6, but was moved to the wing because he was not 100 percent healthy enough to handle faceoffs. 

“He played last game and he’s playing next game,” Julien said. “I don’t know how much clearer I can get -- he’s playing.”

Jasper's thoughts:   "It is critical to have Bergeron in the lineup for game 7.  It should be a show down in Boston for the game on Wednesday night.

Fenway birthday adds to Red Sox-Yanks rivalry

redsox.com

BOSTON -- It is going to be the type of centennial bash that perhaps only two great rivals can truly appreciate. To play for the Red Sox and the Yankees, you have to know about all the great moments that came before you, both recently and decades ago.

The spectacle will occur on Friday, when fabled Fenway Park celebrates its 100th birthday with a pregame ceremony that should be for the ages, not to mention the first rivalry matchup of 2012.

However, once the field clears and the all-time Red Sox greats move to luxury boxes or the stands, the players on both sides will be focused on important business.

Red Sox option Melancon, promote Tazawa

Mark Melancon

redsox.com:  BOSTON -- When the Red Sox traded for Mark Melancon four months ago, they envisioned him as a possible ace setup man who could even serve as insurance at closer. Perhaps some of that will eventually come true, but the right-hander has hit a crisis point in his first couple of weeks of the season, and was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket before Wednesday night's game against the Rangers.

The Red Sox have summoned Japanese right-hander Junichi Tazawa from Pawtucket to take Melancon's spot on the roster.

Melancon was shelled by the Rangers on Tuesday, giving up four hits, six runs, two walks and three home runs while not retiring a batter.

The righty has pitched in four games and allowed at least one run in each of them, posting an ERA of 49.50 over two innings.

Last year, Melancon pitched in 71 games for the Astros, fashioning a 2.78 ERA while notching 20 saves.

Tazawa underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2010 and pitched most of last season in the Minors.

This year for Pawtucket, Tazawa didn't allow a run in his first four outings, walking two and striking out nine.