Wondering who will replace Clay Buchholz in the Red Sox rotation? The answer may have come from Pawtucket Thursday night. The oft-injured Bartolo Colon pitched four no-hit innings for the PawSox, allowing 2 walks, striking out 2. (40 pitches, 23 strikes).

If things work out (i.e. Josh Beckett can start next Tuesday), then Boston would not need a fifth strarter until Aug. 31. That would give Colon one more rehab start. Still, that may be rushing it.

Meanwhile, relief pitcher Chris Smith will likely replace Clay Buchholz on the Boston roster, according to the Boston Herald. Smith's stay depends on Beckett. If Beckett cannot make his Tuesday start in Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox will have to call up a starter from Pawtucket (David Pauley? He has started in the Bronx before).

The Red Sox have also padded their Pawtucket roster with eyes on adding veterans when big league rosters can be expanded in September. Outfielder Jason Lane is already with the PawSox (2-for-5 Thursday with a home run) ... and catcher David Ross (lately of the Reds) was reportedly signed

As if sparked by the signing of another catcher, both Dusty Brown (.290, 2-for-3) and George Kottaras (.243, 2-for-4 as the DH) had good nights on Thursday for Pawtucket ... I assume Brown will get called up after Pawtucket is done with the playoffs.

Portland's Mickey Hall hit his 13th home run ... Josh Reddick (.263) was 2-for-3.

Ryan Kahlish (.324) continues to hit for Lancaster (3-for-5) since his promotion, as have infielder Yamaico Navarro (.342, 4-for-4) and catcher Luis Exposito (.302, 3-for-5 ... reliever (1.62 ERA in 6 games) went 2 innings (1 H, 2 K).

Greenville shortstop Oscar Tejada, 18 was 3-for-4 and is hitting .390 in his last 10 games.

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