Today, Kason Gabbard make his first start for Boston this year. Jon Lester is nearing his. And did you know what Aaron Bates did last night?

Gabbard, who went 1-3, 3.51 in seven appearances last year, starts today as the Red Sox fill their pitching need after two doubleheaders in three days. If Gabbard does well, he could get Friday's start in Texas, although Julian Tavarez will also be ready.

Gabbard replaces Devern Hansack on the roster (who was sent back to Pawtucket). Hansack had replaced the injured Josh Beckett. Gabbard is 3-1 in Pawtucket this year with a 2.75 ERA.

Lester, coming back from his off-season battle with cancer, as well as recent cramping in his forearm, looked sharp in a Pawtucket start Saturday. After giving up a one-out double and walk in the first inning, Lester retired the final 10 batters he faced.

Also in Pawtucket, reliever Craig Hansen had his fourth straight scoreless appearance ... Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and stolen base ... David Murphy went 2-for-4 with a double, and is batting .311.

But the minor league story of Saturday belonged in Lancaster, Calif. The Jethawks, fresh from a 30-0 defeat to Lake Elsinore on Friday, fell behind 5-0 in the top of the first on Saturday. But Aaron Bates clubbed a California League record four home runs to bring Lancaster back for a 14-12 victory.

Bates, 23, a third-round draft pick last summer, went 5-for-5 with six RBI. He now has 13 home runs, witha .294 average. Bates is one of two heavy hitting first baseman the Red Sox drafted last year, along with 19-year-old Lars Anderson.

I'll check in later today from Fenway.

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