Wihle at Fenway last night and working on my story on David Murphy and Jed Lowrie, I was writing a line about the Red Sox keeping some of their good prospects. Just then Jed Lowrie doubled. Jacoby Ellsbury (another member of the Sea Dogs last year) then walked, as did Dustin Pedroia (Sea Dogs Class of '05).

That set the stage for David Ortiz's grand slam, in the Red Sox 11-3 win.

Lowrie, Ellsbury and Pedroia combined went 4-for-9, hitting for the cycle (1B 2B, 3B, HR), with 6 runs and 4 RBI.

With Mike Lowell still feeling pain in his thumb and Alex Cora not allowed to throw a baseball for now, because of his elbow, Lowrie could be in Boston for longer than the expected two weeks.

Ortiz's slam was not the only one of the night. In the Sea Dogs win over Binghamton, Bubba Bell also emptied the bases with a blast.

The bats were going for Triple-A Pawtucket in its 17-5 win. Brandon Moss and Jeff Bailey both hit their first homers of the season (Jon Van Every hit his fourth). Moss added two doubles for a 3-for-6, 5 RBI night. He's batting .305.

Chris Carter continues to pound Triple-A pitching, going 5-for-6. He's at .344.

Charlie Zink (2-1, 3.12) got the win, going 5 innings (5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)

In low Class A Greenville, converted reliever Daniel Bard must be getting close to a promotion. He pitched two more scoreless innings (1 BB, 2 K) and has a 0.00 ERA over 11 2/3 innings ... Don't know how long he'll stay in Greenville. Red Sox must hope he gains confidence as a reliever before sending him to Lancaster.

Speaking of converted relievers, see our story on Jose Vaquedano this Sunday.

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