When Scott Kazmir said in spring training that his Tampa Bay Rays team could be a contender, I wrote that Tampa Bay would be improved. But a contender? No.

On June 30, the first-place Rays host the Red Sox, the start of a three-game series.

The Rays always showcase good, young talent. But they have never had the pitching. For this series, they have their three best starters going.

The speculation that Michael Bowden will be promoted to Triple-A is, so far, just that - speculation. No moves to report yet.

The Sea Dogs lost to Trenton 8-2. The close game turned into a rout when the Thunder scored five runs in the ninth.

Daniel Bard pitched only 2/3 of an inning, using 29 pitches (16 strikes). Trenton kept fouling off pitches against him, the first batter a 9-pitch walk, the second batter a 10-pitch walk. Bard then got a strikeout and fly-out, but he was done.

As usual, if there is any more news, I'll be blogging.

Sea Dogs ace Michael Bowden is done with his start Sunday at Hadlock Field.

Will he be back?

Bowden did not have his best stuff going Sunday (5 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 K). He retired the first seven batters, but then left some balls up. He bulldogged his way through some jams.

Bowden's numbers may have been better, until Edwar Gonzalez's two-run homer in the sixth.

Ben Cherington, Red Sox VP/Player Personnel, is in attendance. GM Theo Epstein has already watched Bowden pitch here.

You are in your fifth year on the job, working slowly up the ladder, thinking that you are making steady progress, and ready for the next promotion.

Then, poof, you are fired. Welcome to Andrew Pinckney's world. He is angry that a player with much less experience (Jorge Jimenez) is put on the fast track and is given his spot on the Portland Sea Dogs roster.

His former employer, the Boston Red Sox, say it is the business. Performance means everything. Players with better potential ("priority players") who show they can perform, are going to move up.

In today's baseball column we take a look at the improved Red Sox farm system and how that is making it much more competitive for the minor leaguers.

It's official: Third baseman Andrew Pinckney, who was released by the Red Sox Friday, signed with the Blue Jays Saturday and was assigned to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Pinckney played 1 1/2 seasons with Portland and had some of his best games in Manchester. Pinckney, a left-handed pull hitter, called MerchantsAuto.com Stadium, with its large hitter's eye and short right-field wall "my dream park."

Pinckney will get to see his old teammates when the Fisher Cats come to Hadlock Field July 8-10.

At one time, the Boston Red Sox were afraid that other clubs would scoop up relief pitching prospects Edgar Martinez and Kyle Jackson, so they were put on the 40-man roster.

The pair's development stalled and they were taken off the roster - no teams claimed them.

Now Martinez (in Pawtucket) and Jackson (in Portland) are getting a chance at starting. They did well Friday night.

Greetings, as we work our way back from website woes. At first glance, I do not see Friday's game story from the Sea Dogs-Trenton Thunder on the site, so I have included it below.

Among the notes is news of the release of third baseman Andrew Pinckney.

I will have my usual blog posted soon this morning, with news from the other Red Sox minor league teams.

Maybe Hank Steinbrenner was right and Joba Chamberlain should have been in the Yankees rotation sooner. Chamberlain picked up his first win as a starter on Wednesday (6 2/3, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K).

Chamberlain is scheduled to pitch again Monday and then will be scheduled to pitched Saturday, July 5 in the Bronx, on the FOX game of the week, against the Red Sox.

Boston, which has a day off today, will have Justin Masterson going on July 5, if the rotation stays the same. Will be a nail-biter for Sox fans every time a left-handed batter comes to plate.

In the minors, a few moves are underway.

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.

Brandon Lyon sure looked lights out Monday night against the Red Sox, with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 16th save.

Why did Boston ever let him go? ... Oh, that's right: Lyon helped bring Curt Schilling to town.

And while Lyon was setting down the Sox, Schilling was undergoing shoulder surgery ... But two World Series titles later, with Schilling's help, does anyone want to take back the trade? Didn't think so.

Now let's look at that Nov. 28, 2003 trade a little deeper.

The Red Sox lineup has been posted and none of the media outlets out of Boston have announced any roster changes.

With a spent bullpen, the Red Sox are counting on a quality start from Josh Beckett.

Of course, the game may not go on, depending on the weather.

The Red Sox sent the following email about 45 minutes ago:

If the Red Sox could draw up the perfect scenario, Josh Beckett would go 7-plus innings tonight, with Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Papelbon finishing up (with maybe a little help from David Aardsma).

After 13 2/3 innings of relief the past two games, the bullpen is a tad tired. Here is their recent workload:

The first rain delay lasted only 16 minutes. During the second delay, the tarp never came off the field.

The Portland Sea Dogs left Manchester Sunday, trailing 4-1 in a game that was halted with two outs in the fourth inning.

The game will be completed when the Sea Dogs come back to Manchester for a four-game series, July 28-31.

Maybe then the Sea Dogs will change their luck. They created plenty of chances Sunday, but stranded 7 runners in the first four innings.

New Hampshire, meanwhile, moved its runners. Sea Dogs starter Kyle Jackson allowed six baserunners, on three walks and three hits. Four of them scored, and Anthony Hatch was still standing on second base, after his two-run double in the fourth, when the heavy rain came.

Except for that swing by Troy Glaus, Chris Smith's major League debut looked just fine.

Of course, the highlights show Smith giving up the grand slam to Glaus in the second innings (the bases loaded, courtesy of Daisuke Matsuzaka) ... Smith ate up four innings for the Red Sox, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, 0 BB, 3 K.

Before we get to the minor league results from Saturday, here are the lineups for the Red Sox and Sea Dogs today:

Now that the Red Sox potential 8-man rotation is down to 7 with the announcement that Curt Schilling is having season-ending shoulder surgey, who of the 7 will not make the starting 5?

As already stated, Justin Masterson seems destined for the bullpen. That leaves Bartolo Colon and Clay Buchholz going for the last spot, assuming everyone else is healthy.

If Colon is healthy and effective, he seems to get the nod.

But what if Buchholz is showing he can consistently be dominant? Like on Friday ...

Michael Bowden pitched Thursday night in front of a nearly-full Hadlock Field crowd, which included Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. Bowden got the win, even though he said he didn't have his A game (5 2/3, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)

Epstein later sent a email, saying that Bowden is "on a mission to become a difference-making big league starter and I wouldn't bet against him."

Read more about the game and more Epstein comments in the
Press Herald story.

It was not his best outing, but maybe we're getting spoiled when it comes to Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Michael Bowden dominating in Double-A.

With Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein watching, Bowden lasted 5 2/3 innings Wednesday night, vs. the New Britain Rock Cats. He threw 94 pitches (65 strikes)

Bowden gave up 2 runs (1 earned), allowing 5 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 5. The 1 earned run was an Erik Lis homer in the second inning.

Michael Bowden just retired the side in the first inning (14 pitches/10 strikes).

Here's the Dogs' lineup for tonight's game. I'll check back when Bowden is done.

A couple of Sea Dogs moves to announce, while wondering if another one is in the works.

After Tuesday night's gamme, Portland sent reliever Miguel Asencio back to Pawtucket, and will soon welcome reliever J.J. Large from Lancaster.

Could another pitcher may be on the verge of a promotion?

Michael Bowden (5-3, 2.24) starts for the Sea Dogs tonight. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who took in Wednesday night's game at Hadlock Field, is expected to be back to watch one of his prized pitching prospects.

Justin Masterson went to 4-1 but failed to go at least six innings for the first time, in Boston's 7-4 win over the Phillies Wednesday afternoon ... Masterson allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks (and a hit-batter), striking out 1.

Now for the Sea Dogs lineup tonight:

Did your TV clicker get a workout last night, going between the Red Sox and Celtics games?

Daniel Bard worked the clicker well in the Sea Dogs clubhouse early Tuesday evening. Waiting for the Sea Dogs game to be played (it would be rained out), Bard went back and forth between the Red Sox game, and the College World Series, where his alma mater, North Carolina, played Fresno State.

The Tar Heels would lose 5-3, and face an elimination game today vs. LSU.

Red Sox fans have some interest in the game.

If you stayed away from Hadlock tonight because of the weather, hold onto your ticket. It is now a rain check.

The Dogs' game tonight with New Britain is rained out.

It will be made up Aug. 26 as part of a doubleheader.

Contact the Sea Dogs ticket office for information on exchanging your June 17 tickets for a future game.

According to reports out of Philadelphia, Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon has been placed on the disabled list with a stiff lower back. He hurt his back Monday while swinging the bat.

Reliever Chris Smith was called up to replace Colon. Smith, a longtime member of the Sea Dogs, has been dominating out of the pen in Pawtucket.

This is Smith's second call-up. He joined the Red Sox for a few days in May, but did not get in a game (He was warming up during the May 19th game, but Jon Lester went a threw a no-hitter).

It is not likely Smith will stay long.

Daisuke Matsuzaka came through his rehab appearance fine ... David Ortiz has the cast off his wrist ... Bartolo Colon left his outing early Monday with a sore back ... and reports out of Philadelphia have Curt Schilling halting his workouts for now after a "sluggish" bullpen session last week.

The good news for Portland fans is the that the Sea Dogs return briefly from a long road trip.

And before I forget, I need to correct some statistics on Justin Masterson.

Good day for the Red Sox Sunday as Boston and all its affiliates won. Meanwhile, another affiliate, the Lowell Spinners, gets ready to begin play Tuesday with a handful of signed picks from the 2008 draft.

Justin Masterson experienced his first major league loss Friday night, but it was not like he got knocked around.

Masterson went 6 2/3 (4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 9 K) ... yes, that's nine strikeouts.

The Reds took advantage of Masterson's one weakness - left-handed batters. Masterson gave up homers to two lefties (Jay Bruce, Adam Dunn) and an RBI double to a lefty (Joey Votto).

Justin Masterson has demonsytrated he can pitch in the big leagues. With the Red Sox on the road today in inter-league play (vs. the Reds), now we get to see the big guy with a bat ... and, most likely a smile on his face.

The Red Sox and all but one of their minor league teams won on Thursday night .

The Sea Dogs lost 5-0.

Jonathan Papelbon got his 19th save Wednesdaynight, thanks to Mike Timlin. Timlin entered the ninth inning with a 6-1 lead ... next thing you know Papelbon is finishing the game, a 6-3 win over the Orioles.

Timlin recorded two outs, while allowing three hits and two runs (1 earned).

Timlin's ERA is 5.89.

But the thing about Timlin, 42, is that evey time you want to retire him, he comes back.

Hideki Okajima records one out, allowing 2 hits, 3 runs and 2 walks.

Craig Hansen: 1 inning, 4 hits, 3 runs (2 earned)

Yes, these things happen. But the pen is just not the dependable unit it was in 2007.

Here's my broken record of the day: Justin Masterson will find his way to the bullpen.

And why not give Chris Smith a try?

While awaiting today's 6 p.m. Red Sox game (note the time change, bumped up an hour for you Celtics fans), we can look over a few items.

With no Red Sox or Sea Dogs Monday night, the focus shifts to Pawtucket, where Clay Buchholz made another start for the PawSox.

He was not that good (3 IP, 6H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K), throwing 73 pitches (49 strikes), 36 in the third inning alone - one reason for his early departure.

Several blogs ago, I wondered if Justin Masterson had passed Clay Buchholz on the Red Sox depth chart. I heard some interesting responses on the subject; believe someone used the word "insane."

Well, call me crazy. Masterson continues to prove himself after Sunday's performance (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K). He is now 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA.

And now for the disclaimer: Masterson is ahead of Buchholz for now. Buchholz is going to be a star. Last year's no-hitter was a preview of things to come. But he still has to show better command.

Justin Masterson makes his fourth start with the Red Sox at 1:30.

Here are the lineups for the Red Sox and Sea Dogs.

Michael Bowden pitches for the Sea Dogs today (the game is sold out, although there might be a few returned season tickets available at the ticket office).

We've seen the likes of Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson move through on their way to Fenway. My guess is Bowden won't be here too much longer if he keeps dominating. See the story.

Portland led 10-0 over Akron after five innings Saturday night and new starter Dave Gassner had faced only 15 batters (allowing three singles, but getting two double plays and one pick-off).

But the Sea Dogs offense quieted, and the bullpen exploded, in a 11-10 Portland loss.

Akron got three runs (two earned) off Gassner in the sixth and then battered the bullpen for eight runs.

The Red Sox won 11-3 today, so now all of New England's attention turns to Hadlock Field, right?

The Sea Dogs are up 4-0 after two innings.

Meanwhile, in Pawtucket, Charlie Zink has thrown three scoreless innings so far.

Here is the Sea Dogs' lineup, and how they've done so far:

Manny Ramirez is back in the Red Sox lineup today, as the designated hitter. Tim Wakefield is starting (negating one theory on why Charlie Zink was held out of the Pawtucket lineup Friday).

Here is the RED SOX lineup. I'll check back later from Hadlock Field.

Coco Crisp, CF
Julio Lugo, SS
J.D. Drew, RF
Manny Ramirez, DH
Sean Casey, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Brandon Moss, LF
Kevin Cash, C
Alex Cora, 2B
(Tim Wakefield, P)

Still no clarification why Charlie Zink was held from his Pawtucket start Friday night in Charlotte.

Rumor 1: Zink is filling in for Tim Wakefield today (Have only heard that rumor, with no confirmation from anyone).

Rumor 2: Zink is being prepped to fill in for Jon Lester, who must serve a five-day suspension because of the Crisp drama (not necessary, with the Sox off Monday, Lester can be pushed back a day with no problem).

Knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink was scratched from his scheduled start with Pawtucket Friday night. Could he be the next former Sea Dogs pitcher promoted to Boston?

Tim Wakefield is scheduled to start Saturday for the Red Sox. Will he?

The Sea Dogs also made a pitching move. Veteran Dave Gassner, 29, recently signed by the Red Sox from the independent leagues, is going to start for Portland Saturday. That frees up a pitcher (Daniel Haigwood?) to go to Pawtucket to help out, if needed.

Eight players from Thursday's Red Sox-Rays brawl have been suspended and fined:

Coco Crisp, Jon Lester and Sean Casey of Boston; and James Shields, Jonny Gomes, Edwin Jackson, Carl Crawford and Akinori Iwamura of Tampa Bay.

See the brief story on espn.com

The Red Sox are one, big happy (though not healthy) family again.

Meanwhile, in Portland, the tarp just came off at Hadlock, and the game should start on time (7 p.m.). Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and about 400 people are already in line (Josh Beckett bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans)

According to Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe, both Kevin Youkilis and Manny Ramirez said their incident in the dugout Thursday is behind them.

Edes reports that Ramirez said, "Everything's good ... A misunderstanding. Even the best families have them.'' The incident reportedly began after Youklis threw equipment in the dugout and Ramirez made a comment about it.

Wild day for Red Sox baseball. Boston lost players to injuries (Jacoby Ellsbury and Manny Ramirez), ... and will lose another (when Coco Crisp is suspended) ... The Red Sox swapped players (calling up Brandon Moss and sending Chris Carter back down to the minors) ... and they gained players (selecting 8 players in the first 6 rounds of the draft.

Concerning the draft, that is where the Red Sox wise men gather to pick Boston's future. High school shortsotp Casey Kelly, the first-round pick, is intriguing. He has a football scholarship to Tennessee, and an array of pitches that may make him more valuable on the mound than in the field.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Casey Kelly, a high school shortstop out of Sarasota (High), Fla. in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft. Boston had the 30th overall pick in the draft.

In the supplemental round, Boston had the 45th overall pick and drafted Rice reliever Bryan Price.

Also in the supplemental round, the Cubs drafted Ryan Flaherty of Portland with their 41st pick overall. Flaherty, a former Deering High standout, has played his college ball at Vanderbilt.

Kelly is a true athlete. He not only could be a pitching prospect, but he is also stellar quarterback and has accepted a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee.

Baseball America ranked him as the 19th best prospect in the draft. He likely dropped down to the Red Sox because of the difficulty in signing him.

It will take a big signing bonus (something the Red Sox can handle) for Boston to get him.

Kelly comes from an excellent baseball school. Sarasota High is usually one of the nation's best programs, and the Sailors play a competitive schedule.

While former Deering High standout Ryan Flaherty waits to see where he is drafted, his Vanderbilt teammate, third baseman Pedro Alvarez, did not have to wait long.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Alvarez No. 2 in the draft (after the Rays picked high school shortstop Tim Beckham).

Kansas City chose high school first baseman Eric Hosmer with the third pick (I thought Hosmer might drop down a bit because he has Scott Boras as a consultant; the Royals better be prepared to pay the bucks).

One other player went higher than I expected.

The Sea Dogs are underway here at Hadlock (Dogs up 3-0 after two innings).

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays apparently are prepared to select high school shortstop Tim Beckham with the first overall pick in the Major League draft, according to a story on www.milb.com

More on the draft in later blogs.

As for the Sea Dogs, good crowds are projected for the weekend (about 500 tickets remian for Friday night, 300 for Saturday night and Sunday is very close to selling out.

Here's the Sea Dogs lineup today:

The Sea Dogs play at noon, the Red Sox at 6 p.m., the Celtics at 9 p.m.

But the sports days also includes a happening that begins at 2 p.m. and lasts for two days. The Major League Baseball Draft begins, with the first four hours televised by ESPN2.

In case you missed my Sunday column (say it's not so), I guess-timated on some players the Red Sox might be interested in.

Lot of pitching stories from Tuesday night. And they start in Portland, where Michael Bowden was perfect through six innings.

Erie third baseman Max Leon led off the seventh inning with a double to the left field corner. Left fielder Jeff Corsaletti hustled but was still a few steps shy of the ball when it landed - breaking up Michael Bowden's no-hit bid.

Will Rhymes followed Leon with a single, putting runners on first and third.

Leon scored on a double play. The Sea Dogs lead 7-0.

Erie 000 000 - 0 0 1
Portland 120 31 - 7 11 0

It began to rain in the bottom of the fifth ... They are still playing. The forecast does not look good, however.

After 5 innings in Portland on Tuesday night, Sea Dogs starter Michael Bowden is cruising along against Erie. He has faced 15 batters (6 strikeouts, 7 ground outs, 2 fly outs.

Bowden has thrown 68 pitches; 48 for strikes.

Portland is leading 6-0. Iggy Suarez has a two-run homer, and Aaron Bates has two RBI.

Sea Dogs fans may have hoped that Brandon Moss would be called up to the Boston Red Sox when David Ortiz went on the disabled list.

But how can you root against Chris Carter, who Boston called up from Pawtucket?

Carter, 25, is in his third year in Triple-A and is getting his first taste of the big leagues. Carter, who was batting .310 for Pawtucket, with 10 home runs and 35 RBI, is the player obtained in the Wily Mo Pena trade last August with Washington.

Carter throws right and bats left. he can play first and the outfield.

Now for the Red Sox and Sea Dogs lineups:

So David Ortiz is going to miss a month and (gulp) maybe more with a partially torn sheath around the tendon in his left wrist ... We hear that the injury is similar to the ankle problem Curt Schilling had (although Schilling's tear was apparently much worse).

Will Ortiz's injury require some unique medical procedure in the future and soon we will have the legend of the bloody wristband? Actually, it sounds like Ortiz will be back ... but with wrist injuries, who knows? ... Looks like a call-up for Brandon Moss, and more playing time for Sean Casey.

Now, can we talk about the Red Sox bullpen?

While the Red Sox were bashing home runs, even with David Ortiz out of the lineup (for what could be a long time, depending on what today's MRI reveals), the Portland Sea Dogs were producing 20 hits in Merchantsauto.com Stadium in Manchester, N.H.

The Sea Dogs got two home runs from Andrew Pinckney and one from Ryan Khoury.

It is no secret that the Sea Dogs like hitting in Manchester. The fans are friendly, often cheering as loud for the Sea Dogs as their own team. And it is a hitter's park, especially for left-handed pull hitters (re: Pinckney) because of the short distance to right field (306 feet down the line).

Pinckney gushes over the place.

With David Ortiz out of the lineup with a sore wrist, Manny Ramirez moves to the DH spot, and Jeff Bailey gets the start in left field.

Bailey, a former Sea Dog, is with Boston this weekend (presumably, Bailey will go back to Pawtucket Tuesday when Justin Masterson is called up to pitch).

Here are the Red Sox and Sea Dogs lineups today:

The park in Durham, N.C. features a 32-foot "Blue Monster" in left field, but Pawtucket's Brandon Moss went elsewhere to smack three home runs Saturday. Moss hit one to center and two to right field.

Chris Carter and Jon Van Every also went deep for the PawSox

Moss was an 8th round draft pick out of high school in 2002. The 2008 draft is coming up this Thursday.