With every pitch Justin Masterson makes in the major leagues, it's a reminder to his former teammates in Portland of just how close they are to the show.

And with every pitch Chris Smith makes, it should serve as inspiration that the dream can happen with grit and perseverance.

Smith picked up his first major league win Tuesday night, in relief of Masterson. Smith pitched two hitless innings (1 BB, 1 K) and, thanks to a four-run Sox rally in the eighth, got the win in a 5-4 Boston victory over Arizona.

Smith was set to begin a fifth season in Portland this season. That was not the plan when Smith was drafted in the fourth round in 2002. But then came two arm surgeries (one after an ATV accident, the other shoulder surgery) and Smith looked like he would just fade away in the minors.

But Smith kept on. Before he could pitch for Portland this year, he was sent to Pawtucket because of an injury to Bartolo Colon ... Interestingly, Smith got his latest call to the majors because of another injury to Colon, and then a DL assignment for Mike Timlin.

Smith, 27, is one of five players left in the Sox organization from the 2007 draft - Jon Lester (second round), Smith, third base \man Chad Spann (5th), Brandon Moss (8th) and pitcher Jose Vaquedano (35th).

Masterson, by the way, did not have his best stuff, but kept Boston in the game. He gave up a 3-run Chad Tracy homer on a sinker that did not sink. Still, Masterson went 6 innings (7 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K). He continues to impress.

In Pawtucket, Devern Hansack showed he is not ready to fade away. Hansack pitched 8 scoreless innings (2 H, 0 BB, 4 K) ... Jed Lowrie hit his third home run ... Dusty Brown (.282) and Sean Danielson (.223) both had two hits.

Michael Bowden of Portland ran his record to 7-3 (2.33) with 7 innings of work (5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 6 K) ... Bubba Bell and Sandy Madera homered.

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