By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist

The latest round in the apparently never-ending battle for sports-radio supremacy in the Boston market belongs to 98.5 The Sports Hub, which finished second among men 25-54 in the quarterly Arbitron ratings for the summer.

But WEEI wasn't far behind, finishing tied for third despite a dismal season for the Red Sox, for whom it is the flagship station.

The Sports Hub earned a 6.8 share in the summer quarterly, which covers the period from June 21-Sept. 12, trailing classic rock station WZLX (also owned by CBS Radio), which was tops with an 8.3.

WEEI, which finished second in the spring book, two spots ahead of The Sports Hub, earned a 6.4 share this time around.

The Sports Hub, the flagship for Patriots broadcasts, benefited from the anticipation and start of the football season, surging in September with a 7.8 share to WEEI's 5.8 in the month.

-- The Sports Hub's morning drive program "Toucher and Rich'' was first in the 6 a.m-10 a.m. window with an 8.6 share. The "Dennis and Callahan" program on WEEI (93.7) was tied for third at 7.2.

-- Despite the Red Sox' struggles, WEEI was first in the evenings (8.9), while 98.5 The Sports Hub was fifth (5.6) in that 7 p.m.-midnight window. The "Planet Mikey'' program airs on WEEI when the Red Sox aren't playing, while Damon Amendolara is The Sports Hub's evening host.

-- The Sports Hub's "Felger and Massarotti" program in afternoon drive (2 p.m.-6 p.m.) finished first (8.6), while WEEI's "The Big Show with Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley" was third (6.3)

-- The Sports Hub's midday program "Gresh and Zolak," was second (6.8 share) while WEEI's Mut and Merloni was third, also with a 6.8. The latter ranks third because of a lower cume score.