The first Patriots training camp practice was cut short just before 11 this morning outside Gillette Stadium when strong thunderstorms and lightning rolled through the area. Randy Moss was not at the first practice but is expected out for the afternoon. Others missing were Jarvis Green and receiver Joey Galloway. Ty Warren and Shawn Crable were placed on the physically unable to perform list while Shawn Springs is on the non-football related injury list. Tom Brady received a huge ovation from the fans attending practice. For more, visit the football blog It Is What It Is.

The A's roughed up Brad Penny for seven earned runs and seven hits over five-plus innings in an 8-6 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park. Penny allowed a home run to Adam Kennedy on his first pitch of the game and then loaded the bases with none out and allowed four more runs before the disastrous 37-pitch first inning was over. Mike Lowell connected for a three-run homer in the first as part of a five-RBI night while David Ortiz came up as a pinch-hitter in the eighth as the tying run but popped out with two on to end the threat. The Red Sox dropped a season high 3 1/2 games behind the Yankees, which beat Tampa Bay, 6-2.