Before we get to the Red Sox & minor league results, some leftover pieces from David Ortiz's first day in Portland ...

When Ortiz first walked into the Sea Dogs clubhouse, nobody jumped to their feet. Four players did not budge from the two couches in front of the TV (watching a rerun of the ESPY's) ... third baseman Jorge Jimenez later said they wanted to give Ortiz his space ... minutes later, Jimenez was over at Ortiz's locker, laughing at Papi's cracks ... "He's very nice," Jimenez said.

Ortiz's best line came when he spoke of Josh Hamilton in the All-Star Home Run Derby.

Hamilton hit 28 home runs in the first round.

"Not just home runs, but monster home runs," Ortiz said. "Then the funny thing about it was that he wanted to get some advice from me ... he comes over and said, 'hey Papi, what should I do for the second round?' I said, 'Dude, are you serious?' "

When Ortiz was on first base with two outs in the first inning, and a full count to Mark Wagner, Ortiz took off on the next pitch. Wagner fouled it off. Ortiz jogged over to Connecticut second baseman Olmo Rosario, a fellow native Dominican, and put his arm around him.

Rosario later had fun with Ortiz. Rosario homered in the third inning. When he crossed the plate, he pointed to the heavens - ala Ortiz - and then pointed to the Sea Dogs dugout with a smile.

Ortiz said he will soon be ready to help the major league club (soon, as in Friday). And Boston could use his bat since they can't always count on shutout pitching, which Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon gave the Red Sox Monday.

Lester, whose command was once an in issue, threw 103 pitches - 75 for strikes - 6 strikeouts, no walks.

Speaking of former Sea Dogs, do you get the sense that Jed Lowrie knows that the shortstop job is his for the taking? Lowrie (4-for-10 in his last 3 games) upped his average to .298 with a 2-for-3 night, including a 2-run single.

Pitcher Michael Bowden made his Triple-A debut Monday. He began the game by giving up two singles and a double (by former Sea Dog Luis Jimenez) ... Bowden left after allowing a lead-off double in the fifth ... In four innings, Bowden gave up 7 H, 3 R, 0 BB, and struck out 4 ... Sean Danielson went 2-for-4.

Ortiz was the story in Portland, but outfielder Josh Reddick made his debut with a 2-run single in the first, on a 1-for-4 night ... the Sea Dogs pitching was superb with starter Dave Gassner (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) and scoreless relief from Richie Lentz (1 IP, 1 K), Daniel Bard (1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) and Beau Vaughan (1 IP, 1 H).

Lancaster catcher Jon Still (.279) went 2-for-5 with his 19th home run.

Two recent additions to Greenville have continued to hit ... third baseman Michael Almanzar, 17, went 2-for-4 and is at .375 through 3 games ... first baseman Carlos Fernandez-Oliva, 21, went 3-for-4 and is at .360 in six games.

Lowell's 19-year-old outfielder Mitch Dening (.346) was 2-for 5 ... recent sandwich round draft pick Bryan Price (2.08) started and went 3 innings (3 H, 1 BB, 1 K) ... reliever Seth Garrison (1.62) got his third save (1 IP, 1 H, 1K)

In the Gulf Coast League, shortstop and first-round pick Casey Kelly is hitless (0-for-11) in 3 games.

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