For all the talk about mechanics and arm slots, Clay Buchholz needed a change in something much more basic: confidence.

He can get that back in Portland, starting with Monday's start at Hadlock (7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; 93 pitches, 69 strikes)

Sea Dogs pitching coach Mike Cather said there is nothing really wrong with Buchholz's delivery - maybe a tweak here and there, which every pitcher needs now and then. Cather said that Buchholz needs to learn how to be the "lead dog" again.

See the Buchholz column in today's edition.

While the Sea Dogs make a push for the playoffs, so do the Boston Red Sox. They enter Yankee Stadium tonight. The Yankees are down, but one
Newsday columnist thinks the pinstripers will make the post-season.

As for the minors, Pawtucket outfielder Jeff Corsaletti (.227) went 2-for-3 and is batting .414 in his last 8 games ... Jose Vaquedano (4-1, 4.62) got the win in relief (1 2/3, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K).

In Portland, both Argenis Diaz and Aaron Bates got two hits, and both are batting .276.

Lancaster infielder Yamaico Navarro is blazing since his promotion (.361 in 36 games). He went 4-for-4 Monday.

Lowell outfielder Luis Sumoza, 20, is showing power (11 home runs in 50 games) and is hitting .291.

In the Gulf Coast League, 18-year-old infielder/outfielder Wildred Pinchardo went 2-for-5. He's batting .281 and already has 39 stolen bases (47 attempts).

I'll check in later from Hadlock.

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