In today's Sunday notes column we talk about which Lancaster pitchers might make it to Portland.

Poor James Russ was not one of them. Russ was the starting pitcher last night for advanced Class A Lancaster. He lasted one inning (6 H, 3 BB, 7 R).

But that was just the beginning for Island Empire, in a 25-1 win over Lancaster.

The game was in wind-blown Lancaster, where the scores can get out of control. But only one team was hot. Island Empirae out-hit the JetHawks 24-3. Lancaster's one run came on a homer by Chih-Hsien Chiang.

In Greenville, reliever Daniel Bard faced 8 batters (1 single, 1 hit-batter, 1 ground out, 5 strikeouts).

In Portland, Chad Rhoades (2-0) is the only new pitcher in the Sea Dogs bullpen this year. He's doing okay. He pitched 2 1/3 innings Saturday (2 H, 3 K) and improved his ERA to 1.64.

Bubba Bell (sprained ankle) is likely headed to the DL. Outfielder Jered Stanley has arrived from extended spring training. Stanley, a non-drafted sign last year out of Tennessee Wesleyan, played five games for Lowell last year.

Pawtucket swept a doubleheader from Norfolk Saturday, both by 4-2 scores.

Bartolo Colon started the first game (3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 K, 0 BB) ... Chris Smith got his third save (1 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 K) and has a 1.47 ERA ... George Kottaras hit his 9th home run.

In the second game, Chris Carter his a walk-off two-run homer in the 8th ... Edgar Martinez got the win with his third straight scoreless appearance.

Not a bad night for Jed Lowrie, playing shortstop for Boston Saturday night (3-for-4, including his first major league home run).

I'll check in later from Hadlock.

E-mail this entry to a friend