Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein watched Clay Buchholz pitch on Saturday at Hadlock Field. It was a night when Buchholz threw a no-hitter for five innings, even though he didn't have his usually-dominant curveball.

Epstein is also reponsible for yanking Buchholz after five innings, giving Buchholz a break and a chance to prepare for the All Stars Futures Game next Sunday.

Here is what Epstein had to say:

The Boston Red Sox promoted Jacoby Ellsbury to the majors and he is scheduled to be in tonight's lineup.

Ellsbury takes the roster spot of relief pitcher Joel Pineiro, who went on the disabled list.

Ellsbury becomes the 40th man on the 40-man roster.

Meanwhile, the Sea Dogs lost reliever Chris Smith to Pawtucket (taking Ellsbury's spot). The Sea Dogs picked up pitcher TJ Nall, who the Red Sox got after the Nationals released him.

Hadlock Field is sold out tonight, with Clay Buchholz pitching.

Clay Buchholz is pitching today and it might just be his last appearance at Hadlock Field.

The Texas Rangers come to Boston with their awful pitching.
Coco Crisp seems to be coming around. Maybe even Drew.
Could Schilling come to Portland next month?

Congratulations to former Sea Dogs outfielder Brandon Moss for making the Triple-A All Star Game. Moss is batting .294 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI for Pawtucket.

He can be streaky, but if Moss keeps this up, he is certain to at least get a September call-up, which will be his first time in the majors.

Kason Gabbard can't find the strike zone and New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager Bill Masse calls out his fans.

Was there a problem with Jon Lester Monday night, or is he just bummed out?

In today's Sunday Telegram, we look at who could be trade bait for the Red Sox.

Driving home from Manchester late last night was made easier by listening to the Red Sox game in San Diego.

Obviously, Dice-K is the story, but I found the performance of another pitcher just as interesting. Manny Delcarmen pitched to two batters (both outs) in the seventh inning of a one-run game.

Note: Get used to seeing the "other Manny" around.

The Sea Dogs game in Manchester started at 7:34 (29-minute rain delay). Jed Lowrie gave Portland a 1-0 lead with a solo shot to right field.

In Pawtucket's game in Louisville, Abe Alvarez gave up a two-run single in the first inning. The batter was Mark Bellhorn. Yes, that Mark Bellhorn.

Hello from Manchester, where it's raining at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium (doesn't that name just roll off the tongue?).

So the Sea Dogs game will be delayed, if its played at all.

Meanwhile, in San Diego, the word is that David Murphy has been called up to the Red Sox (at least temporarily, until a pitcher is called up to replace the DL'd Curt Schilling on Tuesday).

According to lineups posted on the web, Murphy is not in the lineup, even though J.D. Drew is also sitting. Wily Mo Pena is in right.

Before the Red Sox call up a pitcher to replace Curt Schilling, it looks like they will bring up an outfielder today from Pawtucket.

The outfielder, likely David Murphy (but possibly Brandon Moss) would play until Tuesday, when the Sox will need another starter.

Since The Curt has not updated his own blog for a week (a trend that can't continue), we'll keep up our Schilling focus.

The last blog had a comment (thank you, Roland) on Schilling, declaring him a has-been. Roland also said that Boston should trade Schilling, like it traded David Wells last year.

Let's think about that.

Some thoughts while we wait on the status of Curt Schilling's shoulder. He underwent an MRI yesterday in Boston (the Boston Herald reported that the test reported no damage).

It seems obvious that the Red Sox need to shut Schilling down, at least for a start. Boston has several options to replace Schilling, who is scheduled to start Sunday.

Reading the accounts of Curt Schilling's latest outing makes you wonder if he is not headed to the disabled list.

Schilling gave up 6 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings last night. He reportedly threw in the mid-80's range. When asked about his health. Schilling said, "It's not one thing."

With that statement comes plenty of warning bells.

Akron Aeros pitcher Jeff Stevens throws a pitch behind Portland Sea Dogs batter Jay Johnson. Is Sea Dogs manager Arnie Beyeler mad? No. He applauded the pitch.

Maybe J.D. Drew is the ideal leadoff man.

Them thar Yankees have won nine straight and are now 7 1/2 games behind the Red Sox.

Boston and manager Terry Francona have never been a team to panic (re: 2004 ALCS), although fans are likely to be feeling the strain and suggesting every trade under the sun for an instant fix.

Red Sox management is also rarely content to sit on its hands (no one is smiling and thinking it's wonderful to have a 7 1/2-game lead; though that's not a bad thing).

Between panic and cruise control is a steady course for improvement. That brings me to my mantra of the last few weeks: Look at promoting Jacoby Ellsbury.

Clay Buchholz is done for the night after 5 2/3 innings. He was cruising through five innings with 11 strikeouts, having allowed 2 runs, three hits and no walks.

But Buchholz walked the first three batters in the sixth inning. He gave up a two-run single and got two outs before leaving. He finished with 12 strikeouts, one short of the franchise record.

Just got the news that J.D. Drew is batting leadoff for the Red Sox tonight. Drew has a .429 average (3-for-7) against Colorado starter Jeff Francis, so maybe Terry Francona sees something there. Hey, it can't hurt.

Drew, Josh Beckett and company will have to come through tonight, or the Yankees, who already won today, move to within 7 1/2 games.

Meanwhile, I'm watching Clay Buchholz loosen up for his start at Hadlock Field. A good night for baseball.

Did anyone really think the Yankees would be terrible all year? The lineup is too good. The pitching, which I still think is suspect, has hit a nice stretch.

New York has gained six games on the Red Sox, and now sit 8 1/2 back. That is still a lot, but it is only June (just like last month when we reminded you that it was only May).

The Yankees have Andy Pettitte going tonight.

Terry Francona made his first tweak of the lineup, putting Dustin Pedroia at the leadoff spot, and batting Julio Lugo ninth.

Applause to Francona for the move. And give it up for Lugo, for how he handled it.

Meanwhile, in Pawtucket, Jacoby Ellsbury went 2-for-5 last night, with two runs and two more stolen bases (now 17).

What would you do to strengthen the Boston Red Sox lineup?

Yes, the Red Sox are in first place. But can the Red Sox sit on their success over the first two months? I doubt if Theo and company are sitting in cruise control.

Moves will likely be made. Here is my humble suggestion for a move.

It is great when a team can draft a college player who is nearly ready for the majors (like Jacoby Ellsbuty, picked in the first round in 2005). Maybe University of Washington left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone will be another.

But don't discount the high school kids. Boston drafted more high schoolers than college kids in this past draft, including 6 of the first 8 picks.

Things are looking better for the Yankees fifth starter (Roger Clemens) than the Red Sox No. 5 (Jon Lester, eventually)
Meanwhile, some Sox minor Leaguers are California Dreamin' and Bryce Cox is finally off the DL.

With Mike Timlin coming back to the Red Sox, J.C. Romero becomes the first reliever to go, as Boston designated him for assignment ... Who will be moved when Jon Lester comes back. And will that move signal a promotion for Clay Buchholz?

As expected, The Red Sox went after mostly high school kids in the early rounds of the 2007 draft ... Meanwhile, some previous draft picks continue to improve in the minors.

The Red Sox drafted left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone from the University of Washington with their first selection (55th overall) in the Major League Baseball draft Thursday. With their second choice (62nd overall), Boston took high school middle infielder Ryan Dent from Long Beach, Calif.

The Major League Baseball draft starts in about 10 minutes. Who will the Sox go after? All indications point to a high school talent. Sometimes those are gambles. But then along comes a Jon Lester.

Brandon Moss was drafted out of Loganville High School in Monroe. Ga, in the eighth round, in 2002. Moss, 23, continues to impress in Pawtucket. He hit his 10th homer last night, going 3-for-4, upping his average to .296.

I'll check in later

A three-game losing streak and a shutout loss (to Lenny DiNardo) are not reasons to make drastic changes. But using the adage that most general managers use the first two months of the season to evaluate their team, and the next two months tweaking/fixing it, what would you do if you were Theo Epstein?

The last time the Yankees took 2 of 3 against the Red Sox, they were then swept by the Angels and dropped four more games behind the Red Sox.

Now the Yankees leave Boston for Chicago. To face the White Sox, the Yankees will roll out Matt DeSalvo (1-2, 5.40), Tyler Clippard (2-1, 4.20), Chien-Ming Wang (4-4, 4.19) and Mike Mussina (2-3, 6.25).

Wang and, maybe, Clippard should give New York a quality start. But Yankees pitching remains in trouble and Roger Clemen is not coming to the rescue soon enough.

We hope to take a look at how New York and Boston built their respective starting rotations in Tuesday's Press Herald.

Clay Buchholz looks ready for Pawtucket, if not Boston.
Michael Bowden, 20, is already impressing in Double A.
And Josh Beckett pitches Sunday night for the Red Sox.

If you want a chuckle check out the performance of Mississippi Braves manager
Phillip Wellman in the Southern League Friday night. When you get to the site, find the story about the manager going wild and click on the video

Maybe after a blowout loss to the Yankees, Red Sox fans need something to smile about (the obvious suggestion is to check the AL East standings).

The Red Sox upper tier minor league teams provided some sparks Friday night.