Sorry for no morning blog (slept in before Church) ...

Just talked to reliever Daniel Bard, who was in Boston Saturday getting his back looked at. He said he is returning to Boston Tuesday for more tests. Bard said it was just precautionary (they want to rule out a stress fracture in his ribs) and it appears to be some kind of muscle pull.

"It's already feeling better," Bard said. He has not pitched since last Tuesday's doubleheader. Bard has a 1.99 ERA and has not allowed an earned run in his last 17 2/3 innings.

Clay Buchholz just walked to the Sea Dogs clubhouse, to a Hadlock Field standing ovation.

Buchholz is finished after 8 innings. His line: 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches, 56 for strikes.

Portland leads New Hampshire 3-0 on an Argenis Diaz 2-run triple and a RBI single from Lars Anderson.

Clay Buchholz retired the first six batters before allowing a ground ball single into center field.

So far, through four innings, Buchholz has allowed two hits and no walks. He gave up a wall-ball double in the fourth to Eric Nielson.

He has thrown 45 pitches, 29 for strikes. He has struck out 5, using mostly fastballs and change-ups.

There was an apparent goof with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats lineup card. After the Fisher Cats used their DH in the first inning, Portland manager Arnie Beyeler came out to talk to the umpires. They then talked to Fisher Cats manager Gary Cathcart. New Hampshire is now batting its pitcher in the third spot.

Michael Bowden is starting for the Boston Red Sox on the same night that Clay Buchholz is throwing for the Portland Sea Dogs.

Who would have thought that?

Here are the lineups (note: Kevin Youkilis reportedly has the flu; check out the new clean-up hitter):

For a few months, Portland Sea Dogs fans hoped their 21-year-old star pitcher would stay around town for the season.

But Michael Bowden, 21, was too good and, besides, he already got a start on pitching in Double-A last year.

Now Bowden is following in the footsteps of prospects before him, when he makes his major league debut today.

Two stories on Bowden come to mind.:

Former Sea Dogs ace Michael Bowden is getting called up from Triple-A to the Boston Red Sox Saturday, according to a blog by Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal.

McDonald reports that David Pauley will still start Saturday's game.

Josh Beckett came through his exam with Dr. James Andrews just fine, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said during his pre-game press conference, which was televised by NESN. His elbow inflammation is nothing more than that.

Beckett was placed on the 15-day DL, but Francona said Beckett could make his next start a week from tonight in Texas.

Now for tonight's lineups for Boston and Portland:

It is just a visit to make sure, right? The mentioning of Josh Beckett and Dr. James Andrews in the same sentence is frightening. Usually the name that follows Dr. Andrews is "Tommy John."

But the Red Sox say Beckett's visit today is simply to give Beckett peace of mind (what did Terry Francona call it, getting "closure" on the episode?).

Beckett seems content after his continued phone conversations with Dr. Andrews. Read the insightful story by Rob Bradford on weei.com.

When the Red Sox announced that Josh Beckett would again skip his start Friday - to see (gulp) Dr. Andrews - they moved Daisuke Matsuzaka from Saturday to Friday (still on regular rest because of last Monday's day off).

Who would pitch on Saturday? Clay Buchholz is scheduled to pitch Saturday at Hadlock Field ... and he still is. According to the Providence Journal, David Pauley has been named the Saturday starter.

And now for tonight's Sea Dogs lineup:

Hank Steinbrenner was his usual direct self when describing the Yankees' 11-3 loss to Boston Wednesday night, according to a Newsday blog.

Lost in the rout was the performance of reliever Manny Delcarmen, who came through when the game was still close (1 IP, 2 K). On Tuesday, Delcarmen allowed a hit and 2 walks in 1/3 of an inning, before Justin Masterson bailed him out. On Sunday, Delcarmen was lights out (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) to get a save.

Both the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs have new outfielders, although neither is in the lineup.

Boston, as you have heard, welcomes Mark Kotsay to the roster, after a trade with the Braves (for Lowell outfielder Luis Sumoza). The Sea Dogs have added Jered Stanley, having been called up from low Class A Greenville.

Portland has only two healthy outfielders (Josh Reddick and Zach Daeges), with Bryan Pritz (hamstring) and Mickey Hall (concussion symptoms) out. Stanley, who hit 17 home runs in Greenville, is due in Portland at game time. Infielder Iggy Suarez, who moved to right field Tuesday, gets the start there today.

Here are the lineups:

Alex Rodriguez is always taking the heat, which is the price for collecting the biggest paycheck in baseball, and no World Series rings in a town that expects them.

A-Rod went 0-for-5, including two strikeouts and a rally-killing double-play (against Justin Masterson). And, yes, he heard it in the Bronx. See the Mike Lupica column.

Boston closed to 3 1/2 games behind the Rays. And now the Red Sox may be adding outfield insurance in the form of former Sea Dogs outfielder Mark Kotsay (in Portland, the front office staff was busy making a Kotsay jersey to hang with the jersey of other former Dogs' now in Boston - just in case).

Also in Portland, the Sea Dogs moved closer to a playoff berth with a doubleheader sweep. Several players starred, including shortstop Argenis Diaz. See today's story

Tim Wakefield comes off the DL to start for the Red Sox tonight (Chris Smith was sent to Pawtucket to make a spot for Wakefield).

At Hadlock, the Sea Dogs are playing two against New Britain. Dave Gassner and Ryne Lawson go for Portland.

Here are the lineups:

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.

Buchholz is indeed done for the night. He is in line for the win (the Sea Dogs scored an unearned run in the seventh for a 5-4 lead).

Buchholz's line: 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K.

93 pitches, 69 strikes.

Another 1-2-3 for Buchholz in the seventh. He retired the first two batters on six pitches (all strikes), getting a groundout and a strikeout.

He then went 3-0 on Brandon Roberts - only the second 3-ball count - before getting him to ground out on a 3-1 fastball.

93 pitches, 69 strikes.

T.J. Large was warming up for Portland, but has sat down. Don't know if he's ready to go, or if Buchholz is coming out for the eighth.

The strike zone continues to be pounded by Mr. Buchholz in the sixth: 14 pitches, 12 strikes (82/61)

Buchholz gave up an unearned in the inning. A fly ball was dropped in center field when Reddick camped under it, and then slipped. Dustin Martin followed with a RBI double - a fisted bloop down the left field line.

So far: 5 hits, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts

The score is tied 4-4 (Portland got two in the fifth on Zach Daeges' sacrifice fly, and Aaron Bates' RBI double.

Buchholz has now retired 8 straight batters with another 1-2-3 inning, in the fifth.

Buchholz threw 13 pitches (10 strikes), getting one more strikeout.

He has 68 pitches, 49 strikes, and no walks. His only 3-ball count so far was the first batter of the game.

Buchholz has had only one game where he did not walk anyone (a Triple-A start on June 20, when he went 5 innings).

Portland trails 3-2 (Josh Reddick's 2-run triple in the fourth closed the gap).

Buchholz is hitting 94 and 95 on the gun, and the Rock Cats are not keeping up, at least not in the fourth inning.

He set New Britain down 1-2-3, two by strikeout (five total).

Pitch count: 12 pitches, 9 strikes. (Total: 55 pitches, 39 strikes).

Buchholz continues to throw strikes, but now the New Britain Rock Cats are hitting them.

The first three batters reached in the third inning, with two singles and an RBI double to the left-center gap, by Matt Tolbert, swatting a 1-2 fastball. Two more runs scored on grounders. The Rock Cats lead 3-0.

The totals for the third inning: 3 hits, 3 runs, 22 pitches, 16 strikes (43/20 total)

Clay Buchholz is showing command. With mostly fastballs, Buchholz got through the second inning with 10 pitches (7 strikes) ... The totals now are 21/14.

Buchholz started the frame with his second strikeout (Dustin Martin swinging at a 90 m.p.h. fastball) ... Then a flyout to center.

Daniel Berg bounced a single up with the middle with two outs. No no-no tonight.

Toby Gardenhire grounded out to end the inning. And, yes, Toby is the son of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.

Clay Buchholz began his start at Hadlock Field with three fastballs - all for balls.
He settled down and retired the side - groundout, fly out, strike out.

He threw 11 pitches, 7 for strikes. Buchholz did not throw an off-speed pitch until the third batter, throwing a curve for strike two, and getting Danny Valencia to swing at a change-up for strike three.

No last-minute changes, so Clay Buchholz is indeed starting tonight. An early-arriving crowd is filing into Hadlock (having waited in line for the Buchholz bobblehead).

Even though the Sox are off tonight, no sign of Boston brass. Minor league pitching coordinator Ralph Treuel is in the house.

Here is the Sea Dogs' lineup:

Shortstop Jed Lowrie continued to cement himself into the Red Sox starting lineup. He is batting .299 and his game-winning home run Sunday gives him a .407 average with runners in scoring position since he was recalled from Pawtucket.

Now for the tale of another shortstop, Carson Blair, 18. Blair was one of those late-round high school picks in the draft and required big money to sign (and give up his scholarship to Tulane).

Blair, who signed at the deadline for $200,000, had his first professional at-bats Sunday. He singled in a run in the first inning, then hit a grand slam in the second inning. Nice start.

The Sea Dogs announced Saturday that Clay Buchholz will pitch Monday's game at Hadlock Field. Buchholz joined Portland during its series in Harrisburg, which ends this afternoon (nothing like a bus trip from Harrisburg to Portland to welcome you back to the minors).

Buchholz will be joining a team that showcases a few prospects, including outfielder Josh Reddick. See today's column for more on Reddick.

Infielder/outfielder Kris Negron is 22. Then there is pitcher Felix Doubront, 20; Shortstop Oscar Tejada, 18; and third baseman Michael Almanzar, 17.

They are names to look out for as they continue to play above their age level in the minors.

Negron is tearing up the California Legaue (.381). In a 9-0 win at Bakersfield (little wind, by the way), Negron went 5-5 with two home runs ... Doubront got the win in his Lancaster debut (5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K).

In Greenville, Tejada (.264) remains hot (.405 in last 10 games) and was 3-for-5 on Friday ... Almanzar (.200) has been grinding it out since his promotion to Greenville. He went 2-for-4 Friday. Reminder: He is 17.

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).

Clay Buchholz will accomplish a first in Portland on Monday. He will be the first Sea Dogs player appearing at Hadlock Field the same night his own bobblehead is being given away.

It is Clay Buchholz Bobblehead Monday night at Hadlock Field, the same day the Sea Dogs will be returning for an eight-day homestand.

Buchholz, who was demoted from the majors Wednesday night, could even be starting Monday, if he sticks to his normal rest.

Let's get the plug out of the way. Today's Press Herald features a story on Portland Sea Dogs first baseman and prized Red Sox prospect Lars Anderson

Anderson is a thoughtful, intriguing man. I hope you enjoy the story.

The story is incomplete, however, because I failed to mention what kind of guitar Lars bought with his signing bonus. Lars emailed the information late Tuesday night:

"I bought an all white fender stratocaster (looks like the one Hendrix played, see Woodstock videos)." Love it when a man born in 1987 refers to Woodstock.

Anderson also refers to a song called "Play Crack the Sky" by the group "Brand New." In the interest of further research, I've included a ling to the Brand New video on youtube.

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 Monday night and the confident (arrogant?) Red Sox fan smiled.

The Red Sox (72-56) trail the Rays (76-48) by 5 games in the American East. Boston has a little over five weeks (including 6 games with Tampa Bay) to reel the Rays in.

What Boston would love to do is not only to catch the Rays, but to have the best record in the AL (i.e. home field advantage). The Angels are 76-47.

Boston's best bet is to have the Angels lose, and the Red Sox take care of business.

The Boston Red Sox (71-53) are now 4 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (5 games behind in the loss column.

Sox fans can no longer depend on the hoped-for fade by the Rays. It does not look like it's happening, although a visit by the Angels today may mean trouble.

And if the Rays do hold on, then the Sox have to contend with either the White Sox or Twins (both 70-53) for the wild card.

Anyone notice in the Jays rout of Boston Sunday that Jed Lowrie (.318) went 3-for-3?

Now for the minors:

The Boston Red Sox (71-53) are now 4 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (5 games behind in the loss column.

Sox fans can no longer depend on the hoped-for fade by the Rays. It does not look like it's happening, although a visit by the Angels today may mean trouble.

And if the Rays do hold on, then the Sox have to contend with either the White Sox or Twins (both 70-53) for the wild card.

Anyone notice in the Jays rout of Boston Sunday that Jed Lowrie (.318) went 3-for-3?

Now for the minors:

The Red Sox announced Saturday the signing of six more of their draft picks (Friday was the deadline to sign). Boston was able to sign 29 of their picks, including their top 16.

Boston used one of its advantages as a major market team - it payed out big bucks, especially to high school players who demanded whopping signing bonuses to give up their college scholarships.

Boston spent $9-million on its first 12 picks - $6-million of that going to three high school kids - 1st-rounder Casey Kelly ($3-million), a shortstop/pitcher, 5th-rounder Ryan Westmoreland ($2-million), an outfielder; and 4th-rounder Peter Hissey ($1-million), another outfielder.

The tarp is off at Hadlock Field and the grounds crew is working on it. The Sea Dogs game with Harrisburg is now scheduled for 8 p.m.

It is still raining over Hadlock Field. It is expected to stop at around 7 p.m. The Portland Sea Dogs game will hopefully start between 7:30 and 8:15 p.m.

For those who remember that nightmarish rainout on Aug. 3 (when the sun was out, but the field was soaked), the Sea Dogs have improved the drainage in right field (basically fixing a pipe that had been blocked).

Here are the Red Sox and Sea Dogs lineups:

It is still raining over Hadlock Field. It is expected to stop at around 7 p.m. The Portland Sea Dogs game will hopefully start between 7:30 and 8:15 p.m.

For those who remember that nightmarish rainout on Aug. 3 (when the sun was out, but the field was soaked), the Sea Dogs have improved the drainage in right field (basically fixing a pipe that had been blocked).

Here are the Red Sox and Sea Dogs lineups:

With Paul Byrd's debut with Boston delayed until day, eyes turned toward the Pawtucket Red Sox, where Bartolo Colon continued his rehab.

He did not go very far. Colon was supposed to go about four innings but left after one because of a "stomach ailment," according to the Providence Journal.

Jeff Natale hit a 3-run homer for Pawtucket.

Portland won a wild one with two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Iggy Suarez got the game-winning single. Lars Anderson (.365) went 4-for-4). Josh Reddick (.250) was 3-for-4 with his fourth home run ... Mickey Hall (12th) and Aaron Bates (9th) also homered ... Argenis Diaz (.297) had a triple.

Ryan Kalish went 3-for-5 in his second game with Lancaster.

Seth Garrison picked up his 7th save for Lowell (1 IP, 1 K) and lowered his ERA to 1.29.

Will check in later from Hadlock.

Coco Crisp drew praise last year for the quiet way he handled being benched for the newcomer, Jacoby Ellsbury, in the playoffs.

How will shortstop Julio Lugo deal with it when he returns from the disabled list?

Because, surely, Jed Lowrie is proving himself as the everyday guy.

When the 2006 draft commenced, high school first-baseman Lars Anderson was considered a sandwich pick, or at least a second-rounder.

But, according to Baseball America, his agent was asking for seven figures, which scared teams away.

The Red Sox finally took a shot at Anderson, drafting him in the 18th round and handing over an $825,000 signing bonus.

So far, it looks like a steal.

There is supposed to be a time for adjustment when a player goes from Class A to Double-A.

In 24 games, first baseman/designated hitter Lars Anderson seems to have figured it out. He went 2-for-3 Wednesday and his batting .329.

Shortstop Argenis Diaz went 2-for-4 and is batting .299.

The Red Sox designated Pawtucket relief pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom, taking him off the 40-man roster.

The move makes room for right-handed reliever Marcus McBeth, who the Red Sox picked up off waivers, from the Reds.

The Red Sox officially announced other moves they already made - placing Mike Lowell on the DL, sending Charlie Zink back to Pawtucket, calling up pitcher David Pauley from Pawtucket, and adding pitcher Paul Byrd to the roster.

Holdzkom, 26, was 5-5 with a 5.24 in Pawtucket. He appeared in 30 games for Portland last year, before being promoted to Triple-A. He was claimed by the Phillies in the Rule V draft, but then returned in spring training. Boston put him on the 40-man roster.

Now that he has been designated, Holdzkom can be claimed by any team willing to put him on their 40-man. If not claimed, Holdzkom could go back to Pawtucket.

McBeth, 28, pitched for Cincinnati last year (3-2, 5.95), but was in Triple-A this season (1-1, 6.20).

The Boston Red Sox released Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Kyle Jackson late Tuesday night. Jackson, 25, who first came to Portland for three games in the 2005 season, struggled this year. He had a 5-3 record, but a 6.47 ERA.

Jackson was moved to the starting rotation in hopes of kick-starting his career, but it did little good. In his last seven games (30 2/3 innings), Jackson allowed 29 earned runs.

Jackson was a 32nd round draft pick in 2001, out of Alvirine (NH) High and St. Petersburg (Fla.) College). His best year was 2006 (1.59 ERA in Class A, then 2.45 for Portland). Jackson was placed on the 40-man roster after that. He was taken off the 40-man at the end of the 2008 spring training.

Jackson's place in the Portland rotation has been taken by Ryne Lawson, 23, from lower Class A Greenville

In roster news in Boston, several media outlets are reporting that Mike Lowell (strained oblique) is going on the 15-day DL. Pitcher David Pauley from Pawtucket is replacing him - giving Boston an extra arm after Tuesday's slugfest.

And now for the Red Sox and Sea Dogs rosters:

After a change of plans and a quick trip to Fenway Park, it figured to be an easy night. Cover Charlie Zink's major league debut.

Then there was the Paul Byrd trade.

Then Zink threw 85 pitches ... and the Boston relievers threw a combined 102!

A 10-0 lead ... a 16-14 deficit ... a 19-17 win.

A not-so-quick trip back from Fenway (in bed at 4:30 a.m.)

Charlie Zink is going back to Pawtucket after his major league debut tonight.

Zink is leaving to make room for Paul Byrd.

Zink gave up 8 runs tonight, but you would not know it by his smile in the clubhouse. He was excited, of course. He soaked in the experience. And Red Sox winning - 19-17 - certainly helped.

He said the Red Sox gave him hope that he would be back.

Jacoby Ellsbury was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Coco Crisp. Ellsbury is still hurting from being hit on the tailbone with a pitch on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Charlie Zink pitched through a perfect first inning. Ian Kinsler flew out to the warning track in left field. Michael Young popped up to Kevin Youkilis in foul territory. Josh Hamilton grounded out to sdecond. 12 pitches/ 7 strikes.

Mentioned in the last blog that Rangers outfielder David Murphy was not in the lineup. He will miss this series because Murphy was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 7 with a right knee sprain.

Another former Sea Dogs player, pitcher Kason Gabbard, has been on the DL since July 8 with left elbow inflammation. On Aug. 1, Gabbard was moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.

Both Gabbard and Murphy came to Texas in the Eric Gagne trade.

Mentioned in the last blog that Rangers outfielder David Murphy was not in the lineup. He will miss this series because Murphy was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 7 with a right knee sprain.

Another former Sea Dogs player, pitcher Kason Gabbard, has been on the DL since July 8 with left elbow inflammation. On Aug. 1, Gabbard was moved from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.

Both Gabbard and Murphy came to Texas in the Eric Gagne trade.

Charlie Zink won't be facing his old Sea Dogs teammate David Murphy, who is not in the Rangers lineup tonight.

Here are the lineups for the two teams tonight (and yes, I'm at Fenway instead of Hadlock tonight, because of Zink's start. For more on Zink, as well as info on Paul Byrd, see previous blogs)

RANGERS
Ian Kinsler, 2b
Michael Young, ss
Josh Hamilton, cf
Milton Bradley, dh
Marlon Byrd, rf
Frank Catalanotto, lf
Gerald Laird, c
Chris Davis, 1b
Ramon Vazquez, 3b
(Scott Feldman, P)

RED SOX
J.D. Drew, rf
Dustin Pedroia, 2b
David Ortiz, dh
Kevin Youkilis, 1b
Mike Lowell, 3b
Jason Bay, lf
Jed Lowrie, ss
Jacoby ellsbury, cf
Kevin Cash, c
(Charlie Zink, P)

I'll be updating soon.

Arrived at Fenway Park to write about a pitcher, and now we're talking about a pair of arms.

Before former Portland Sea Dogs knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink takes the mound tonight for the Boston Red Sox, in his major league debut, the Red Sox moved to add another pitcher to the roster.

Boston acquired Cleveland Indians right-handed pitcher Paul Byrd for either a player to be named later or money (as for the player, Boston general manager said it would be "an organizational-type player, not a prospect").

Byrd will officially join the roster on Wednesday or Thursday. By then, the Red Sox will know who he is replacing - either Zink or Clay Buchholz.

Byrd is taking Buchholz's spot in the rotation this week - Friday, vs. Toronto. But that does not mean Buchholz is going back to Triple-A. He could hang around if Zink does not measure up.

Zink is here to replace the injured Tim Wakefield, but his future beyond tonight is up in the air.

"We'll see how he throws tonight and go from there," Epstein said.

Epstein did talk highly of Zink, saying, "We were kind of looking for a way to get him up here."

As for Byrd, the 37-year-old veteran, Epstein said "it was a good opportunity to add depth." He cited Wakefield's injury, the continued presence of Bartolo Colon on the disabled list and the struggles of Buchholz as reasons to obtain Byrd.

"We think we're getting him at the right time," Epstein said. Since the All-Star break, Byrd has won all four of his starts (1.24 ERA).

Byrd knows he is not a power pitcher, but someone who keeps batters off balance.

"It may not be pretty," Byrd said. "But I have been someone who usually gets the job done."

Arrived at Fenway Park to write about a pitcher, and now we're talking about a pair of arms.

Before former Portland Sea Dogs knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink takes the mound tonight for the Boston Red Sox, in his major league debut, the Red Sox moved to add another pitcher to the roster.

Boston acquired Cleveland Indians right-handed pitcher Paul Byrd for either a player to be named later or money (as for the player, Boston general manager said it would be "an organizational-type player, not a prospect").

Arrived at Fenway Park to write about a pitcher, and now we're talking about a pair of arms.

Before former Portland Sea Dogs knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink takes the mound tonight for the Boston Red Sox, in his major league debut, the Red Sox moved to add another pitcher to the roster.

Boston acquired Cleveland Indians right-handed pitcher Paul Byrd for either a player to be named later or money (as for the player, Boston general manager said it would be "an organizational-type player, not a prospect").

While the Portland Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field tonight, long-time Sea Dogs followers will be keeping an eye on Boston and the major league debut of Charlie Zink (Todd Jamison will be busy at the Hadlock video board controls, ready to show any and all Zink highlights).

Zink, with the Sea Dogs for parts of four seasons ('04-'07) is finally getting his break because of a shoulder injury to Tim Wakefield. Boston is in the unique position to replace one knucklebll pitcher with another.

As profiled in a May 16 story Zink has matured as a knuckleball pitcher, while improving his other stuff. Unlike Wakefield, Zink was a "real pitcher" before going to the knuckleball.

Through 82 games and 261 at-bats, Julio Lugo is batting .268 with 13 doubles, 0 triples, 1 home run and 22 RBI. With runners in scoring position, he is batting .139. In the field, Lugo has made 16 errors.

The Sea Dogs doubleheader with Trenton has been canceled because of wet conditions.

The decision was made shortly after 3 p.m.

No one can question a decision made for the safety of the players.

But the fans should have been told at 1 p.m. that the game was in doubt, instead of hearing an announcement that the game would start at 2 p.m. They ended up waiting for two hours, for nothing.

Sea Dogs fans deserve better.

The Sea Dogs doubleheader with Trenton has been canceled because of wet conditions.

The decision was made shortly after 3 p.m.

No one can question a decision made for the safety of the players.

But the fans should have been told at 1 p.m. that the game was in doubt, instead of hearing an announcement that the game would start at 2 p.m. They ended up waiting for two hours, for nothing.

Sea Dogs fans deserve better.

The 2 p.m. start of today's doubleheader has now been moved to 2:35 p.m. ... but there are no players warming up, and the bullpens are empty.

The 2 p.m. start of today's doubleheader has now been moved to 2:35 p.m. ... but there are no players warming up, and the bullpens are empty.

Hadlock Field is soaked and today's 1 p.m. doubleheader is being delayed until 2 p.m. to give the park a chance to dry out.

Here are today's Red Sox and Sea Dogs lineups:

Moss and Hansen are gone. Lowrie and Masterson are still here, and in Boston.

What other prospects do the Red Sox plan to keep? It is interesting to look at the Theo Epstein's organization and its future. So that's what we did in this week's Sunday column Check out the 2011 roster.

Just look at the prospects that contributed to Saturday's rout of the A's - Youkilis, Pedroia, Lester, Lowrie, Masterson, Smith ...

Jason Bay is not likely to out-slug Manny Ramirez. And Bay won't cause the same fear in opponents that Ramirez did.

But Bay will hustle. His triple in the 12th inning turned into the winning run. If someone else we know had hit that long fly ball to the Green Monster, he would have been admiring it, and barely reached second base.

A good debut for Bay.

Of course, the Boston Red Sox paid too much to get rid of Manny Ramirez, but it was the only way Boston could get a bat close to replacing Ramirez (Jason Bay).

And Boston can afford it.

The Red Sox have both deep pockets (so they can over-pay for a player) and they have a deep farm system (so they can give too much away in a trade).

The prospects help solidify Boston's future, and maintain the present goal of contending for a championship every year.

Of course, the Boston Red Sox paid too much to get rid of Manny Ramirez, but it was the only way Boston could get a bat close to replacing Ramirez (Jason Bay).

And Boston can afford it.

The Red Sox have both deep pockets (so they can over-pay for a player) and they have a deep farm system (so they can give too much away in a trade).

The prospects help solidify Boston's future, and maintain the present goal of contending for a championship every year.