It is with extreme caution that we point out Craig Hansen's domination so far in Triple-A.

Hansen retired the six batters he faced Wednesday night, two by strikeout.

In three outings (6 innings), he has allowed 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 walks, while strking out 8

When talking about Hansen, there is always concern. He was hyped so much when he arrived in Portland, late in 2005. He pitched for Boston at the end of that season, and was briefly part of the Red Sox bullpen in 2006.

But he never developed and seemed to go backward, staying in Pawtucket throughout all of 2007.

Expectations have been lowered. It is no longer when he makes it, but if.

Maybe he is finally coming around. The fastball command is there. The slider has returned. That is good news for Boston. All of the talk of the deep bullpen is starting to fade (disclaimer: it is early).

For a while it looked like a difficult decision about which reliever had to go (when Mike Timlin comes back, which could be today): David Aardsma, Bryan Corey or Javier Lopez. No one is shining at the moment. And Corey is really scuffling.

Maybe, down the line, Hansen will be called upon.

Also, in that Wednesday Pawtucket game, starter Charlie Zink threw 4.1 shutout innings (4 H, 2 BB).

Here are the key statistics for the Portland Sea Dogs: Team batting average of .192, with a team ERA of 1.14. With a 5-1 record, the hits have been timely, the pitching dominant.

In advanced Class A, 20-year-old outfielder Reid Engel continues to put up the numbers. He went 4-for-5 Wednesday and is batting .474.

In lower Class A Greenville, outfielder prospect Josh Reddick (.321) went 3-for-4 with a double ... Reliever Daniel Bard pitched two scoreless innings. He allowed two singles, struck out two and got two double-play grounders.

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