As I mentioned in the last blog, the Sea Dogs have lost starting pitchers to promotions to Triple-A before. Jonathan Papelbon and Clay Buchholz did not finish their seasons with Portland.

But Justin Masterson's promotion comes sooner than either of those two. He won't see Memorial Day at Hadlock Field ... Then again, neither Papelbon nor Buchholz had two major league starts by this time, with an ERA at 1.46.

Tuesday night's game featured Masterson again being masterfull. His stuff was good, but not great. His change-up, which worked so well the last time at Fenway, was not effective. The slider command was not always there.

But Masterson showed he can pitch in the majors, and there is no reason for him to go back to Double-A.

It's all about development ... which brings us to Jon Lester's no-hitter. Lester had a do-over in his development, coming through the minor leagues, and then coming back from cancer. He said he felt as strong Monday night as he did before his sickness.

But Lester is also showing more and more maturity. His tempo has quickened, as has his command.

Clay Buchholz is another pitcher still developing and, unless Bartolo Colon is a flop tonight at Fenway, Buchholz can expect to see some time in Pawtucket. He currently is on the DL with a torn finger nail. When he is ready to pitch again, there may be no room in the Boston rotation.

No one doubts Buchholz's stuff. But he's been inconsistent. The Red Sox figured he would begin this year in Triple-A - before Curt Schilling shut down.

Speaking of developing pitchers, Charlie Zink gave up only one hit and two unearned runs in picking up his fifth win for Pawtucket Tuesday night. His command was iffy (four walks) but he lowered his ERA to 2.47.

Pawtucket reliever Edgar Martinez, a seemingly forgotten pitcher since being dropped from the 40-man roster, pitched a scoreless ninth. In his last six outings, Martinez has allowed only four hits and one run.

I will check in later from Manchester, N.H.

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