Jonathan Van Every hit the game-winning home run in the 10th inning for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. Hadlock fans have known about Van Every's power for some time.

Van Every, who hit 27 home runs for the Akron Aeros in 2005, hit two homers in the Eastern League All-Star Game that year, at Hadlock Field.

Like they do with every minor league opponent, the Red Sox kept a file on Van Every. They apparently liked what they saw, offering him a 40-man roster spot last year when the Indians did not re-sign him.

Julio Lugo went 2-for-3 in his return to the Red Sox on Tuesday night. But he also made some fielding mistakes and had to leave the game early because his knee was swelling. After the game, he told reporters he was not quite 100 percent.

If he is not ready, why is he in the majors? Shouldn't he still be in Pawtucket?

Just wondering.

Pawtucket was rained out Tuesday night, but Portland provided a thrilling 9-8 win with 3 runs in the ninth.

Now that Justin Masterson is a starter (temporarily, we think), and Michael Bowden has experienced a second quick stint in the majors, and John Smoltz is readying for his return to the majors in June ...

Did we forget about Clay Buchholz?

Buchholz was the man doomed to the minors, no matter how well he performed in spring training (and he performed well).

Then he got off to a slow start in April, which included a tweaked hamstring.

But Buchholz looked back in form on Monday.

Justin Masterson, Hunter Jones and Michael Bowden were hanging around Hadlock Field this time last year.

On Sunday, they combined to beat the Yankees 4-1.

Masterson started (5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K)
Jones finished the sixth inning (O H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K)
Bowden came in for 2 IP (0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)

Takashi Saito (no Sea Dogs connection) pitched the last inning for the save.

The Portland Sea Dogs played one for the record books Sunday, in a 20-15 loss to Connecticut at Hadlock Field.

Portland set team records for combined runs in a game and combined hits (43).

In the game, catcher Mark Wagner (playing DH) suffered a mild hamstring strain running the bases. He is expected to be out 7-to-10 days.

Sunday's game featured big innings.

After the Red Sox romp on Saturday, Newsday looks at Boston's "relentless" lineup.

In the Sunday Telegram we look at how the Red Sox stockpiled infielders and outfielders to provide them depth.

There is also a story on Junichi Tazawa and his rough outing on Saturday.

It was not Junichi Tazawa at his best. Handed a 4-0 lead, the prime pitching prospect from Japan left after 5 2/3 innings, with Connecticut leading the Sea Dogs 6-4.

Tazawa's line: 6 hits, 6 earned runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 2 home runs.

Tazawa gave up a solo home run in the fourth (Andrew D'Alessio) and a 3-run bomb in the fifth (Bobby Felmy).

Both batters who walked ended up scoring.

Tazawa would have completed six innings, but second baseman Ryan Khoury bobbled a grounder that would have been the third out. Tazawa left after 84 pitches (52 strikes).

Portland scored four runs in the bottom of the first, but Junichia Tazawa allowed two Connecticut runs in the second.

In the bottom of the first, Josh Reddick ripped a 2-1 pitch into left center for a double. With one out, Lars Anderson and Aaron Bates both walked.

Bubba Bell scored Reddick on a sacrifice fly. Ryan Koury worked a 10-pitch walk. Jorge Jimenez singled in two runs, and Koury scored on throwing error.

Tazawa allowed two baserunners in the second inning (bloop single and walk). They advanced on a fly out and scored on Tyler LaTorre's single.

Tazawa's pitches: 25 (16 strikes).

Sea Dogs starter Junichi Tazawa cruised through the first inning Saturday on a beautiful afternoon for baseball at Hadlock Field.

Tazawa (1-1, 2.30 ERA) set down the Connecticut Defenders 1-2-3 on nine pitches (6 strikes), recording one strikeout.

Here's the Sea Dogs lineup:

The Red Sox get to the great one, Mariano Rivera, more than any other team. Jason Bay did the honors this time.

Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News goes over the moment. He also brings up the fun fact that New York was 77-0 last season when leading after 8 innings.

Devern Hansack has signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox after clearing waivers, according to CBSSportsline.com.

Hansack had recently been removed from Boston's 40-man roster.

In another transaction, Iggy Suarez officially joined the Pawtucket roster, but Jeff Natale did not go on the DL, as expected (the Sea Dogs were under the impression that Suarez was replacing Natale).

Iggy replaced Robert Coello, who was an extra pitcher on the roster, according to soxprospects.com

Now for tonight's Sea Dogs lineup:

Join me for a live chat online about the Sea Dogs and Sox at 3 p.m.

Mark Teixeira is a good guy. By all reports, he is a well-mannered gentleman and a disciplined baseball player.

And when he comes to bat tonight at Fenway Park, he will be booed and called names you don't want your children to hear.

All because he's a Yankee, and not with the Red Sox.

The other interesting at-bat tonight, when the Yankees and Red Sox play Game 1 of their 2009 series is when Kevin Youkilis steps in. Pitcher Joba Chamberlain has history of good command, except when Youkilis is batting. Suddenly, Chamberlain mistakes Youkilis' head for home plate.

The Boston Red Sox got lefty Kason Gabbard back from Texas, in a trade for cash.

Boston also announced that outfielder/first baseman Chris Carter has been sent back to Pawtucket. The next move, expected Friday, is the call up of outfielder Jonathan Van Every.

Pawtucket Red Sox fans had a lot to cheer on Wednesday. They watched Jeff Bailey get promoted and hit a home run in his first at-bat at Fenway Park this season.

Then there was the 8-7, 11-inning win in Pawtucket. The PawSox scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie it - keyed by Jon Van Every's two-out grand slam.

The PawSox won the game with a bases loaded walk to Chip Ambres in the 11th.

Lost among the excitement was the brief, 1-inning appearance of reliever Daniel Bard. He needed only 9 pitches and recorded 3 strikeouts.

While the Red Sox juggle some roster spots, they keep developing talent below.

Take a look at the corner infield spots in lower Class A Greenville, S.C.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo is 19. Third baseman Michael Almanzar is 18.

Both enjoyed Tuesday night, with Almanzar (.234) going 2-for-5, and Rizzo (.313) 4-for-5 with two doubles and a home run.

But we're not talking about them because of one night.

Hadlock Field fans got to watch some impressive arms last year, with Justin Masterson, Hunter Jones, Michael Bowden and Daniel Bard, among others.

All four shined on Monday.

Masteron got his first start of the season for Boston, filling in for injured Daisuke Matsuzaka. Masterson picked up the win (5 1/3, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K).

Hunter Jones made his major league debut in relief, pitching one inning (no H, R, BB or K).

Lots of news out of Pawtucket from the Providence Journal concerning Brad Wilkeron (retiring), Clay Buchholz (on the mend) and Jeff Natale (looking to be an outfielder).

As for the Red Sox, they must be thrilled to see Jon Lester back in form, along with a four-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, David Ortiz is batting .170 with no home runs. The slump reminds Sox fans of his troubles starting 2008, when Ortiz was batting .111 through April 17 (he hit a grand slam the next day).

Trailing the surging Baltimore Orioles by three games, the Boston Red Sox face monumental pressure tonight when the ...

Just kidding.

Yes, Baltimore is three games ahead of Boston, after NINE games.

Not worth getting all the worked up about, is it?

Take a look at the AL East standings after Thursday's games:

It is another success story for the Red Sox player development crew. Left-hander Hunter Jones was called up from Pawtucket, replacing Daisuke Matsuzaka on the active roster (Jones actually replaces Justin Masterson in the bullpen. Masterson replaces Dice-K in the rotation).

Jones, 25, was a castoff from Florida State who looked to have no future after fracturing his left arm. But Jones, who still has screws in his arm, pitched a little in the Cape Cod League in 2005. Red Sox scouts saw enough to sign him that July.

Jones had a 1.19 ERA in 13 games with Portland last year before being promoted to Pawtucket. He was added to the 40-man roster in the off season.

Pitching depth? What pitching depth? The Red Sox almost lose Josh Beckett for a start (and still might, pending his appeal of a suspension).

Daisuke Matsuzaka gives up 5 runs in the first inning and the Red Sox announce that he has arm fatigue (WBC anyone?).

And Clay Buchholz has hammy issues in Triple A.

John Smoltz is headed on his scheduled trip to Fort Myers today to continue his rehab. He is expected to be ready by June ... maybe sooner.

If this keeps up, Michael Bowden could get a call up.

Junichi Tazawa made his second start for the Portland Sea Dogs Tuesday night and is done after six innings. He left with a 4-1 lead.

Tazawa allowed 1 run, 4 hits, and 2 walks, while striking out 3.

Tazawa had a shutout until Danny Valencia led off the sixth with a home run to left center.

He mixed fastballs, sliders and curves. The Hadlock Field radar gun had one fastball at 95 m.p.h., but the rest were in the low 90's range. He threw 75 pitches, 42 for strikes.

The Sea Dogs took a 1-0 lead in the first when leadoff batter Josh Reddick clocked a pitch over the three levels of signage in right field.

It was Reddick's fourth home run in as many games, tying Kevin Millar's franchise record (done July 18-22, 1997).

The mystery of Gil Velazquez's replacement has been solved. The Red Sox signed infielder Travis Denker off waivers from the San Diego Padres and sent him to Pawtucket.

Denker, 23, was added to the 40-man roster. To make room, right-handed pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (Tommy John surgery) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Velazquez was promoted Monday to Boston.

Not a week into the minor league season, and rosters are being adjusted for injuries.

Heading up the hurts is a pulled hamstring suffered by Pawtucket starter Clay Buchholz. He injured it during a workout.

Director of Player Development Mike Hazen, in Portland for one of his routine visits, did not think Buchholz would miss much time.

Pawtucket reliever Devern Hansack may be out a little longer. He suffered a dislocated shoulder. I do not have the details how that happened.

Good thing Felix Doubront had a solid outing for the Sea Dogs. The rest of the starters in the Red Sox organization had their difficulties.

Doubront (AA Portland): 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K

Jon Lester (Boston): 6 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Charlie Zink (AAA): 4 1/3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 6 BB, 1 K

Seth Garrison (Advanced A): 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 0 K

Yeiper Castillo (A): 4 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 0 K

Of course, none of those lines looks as bad as Chien-Ming Wang's:

Left-handed pitching prospect Felix Doubront is done in his Double-A debut in Portland.

Meanwhile, in Oakland, the Red Sox have placed shortstop Jed Lowrie on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist.

Doubront pitched 4 1/3 innings (2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K) Monday night for the Sea Dogs.

Doubront was cruising through the first two innings (16 pitches, 14 strikes) but then got wild. He loaded the bases in the third inning on two walks and a single, but got out of it.

Felix Doubront, the 21-year-old left-hander, gets his first start for Portland tonight.

The Red Sox, afraid to lose Doubront to the Rule V draft, put him on th 40-man roster in the off-season. That put him on the fast track.

As far as tonight's game, outfielder Josh Reddick gets the night off. And DH Jon Still finally puts on his glove and plays first base. Lars Anderson will DH.

Here is the lineup:

The Pawtucket Red Sox lost in 15 innings, 4-2 to Buffalo, because Pawtucket ran out of pitchers first. Catcher Carlos Maldonado took the mound in the bottom of the 15th and promptly gave up a walk and a home run.

Pawtucket went through pitchers quicker because starter Clay Buchholz showed little command. He lasted 3 2/3 innings, using 82 pitches (50 strikes), allowing 4 walks, 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), while striking out 3.

Daniel Bard had another two perfect innings of relief (2 K).

In low Class A, 2008 first-round draft pick Casey Kelly made his pro pitching debut.

Welcome to Hadlock Field, where it is 37 degrees with a 22 m.p.h. wind.

Good seats are still available.

Before we get to the Sea Dogs lineup, just one note from Saturday's Pawtucket game. Kris Johnson had a solid Triple-A debut: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K.

TODAY'S LINEUP:

Lars Anderson came back from an 0-2 count to walk with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the ninth, to give the Portland Sea Dogs a 3-2 win over Connecticut Friday night.

Anderson went 2-for-4 in the game.

But the big bat was held by Josh Reddick. He was 4-for-5 with a game-tying home run in the eighth.

On the mound, starter Adam Mills was his usual control maestro (56 pitches, 44 striikes). He gave up 7 hits and 2 runs over 5 innings.

Richie Lentz won't last long in Portland if he has performances like Friday's. He retired all six batters he faced, striking out the last five. He used 21 pitches, 18 for strikes. His fastball hit 96 m.p.h.

Chris Province (1-0) got the win with two innings of scoreless relief.

At least Pawtucket won. The Boston Red Sox and three of its four minor league teams all lost Thursday.

But there were good individual performances to note:

In Pawtucket's 6-4 win, former Sea Dogs sailed: catcher Dusty Brown (2 doubles, 2 RBI), right fielder Zach Daeges (double, RBI), and closer Daniel Bard (2 IP, 4 K, save)

Junichi Tazawa's professional debut is over after five innings, in the Portland Sea Dogs' season-opener Thursday night.

Tazawa allowed four hits, 1 run, 1 walk and 1 hit-batter, while striking out 7. He threw 66 pitches, 44 for strikes.

Tazawa, who hit 93 m.p.h. with his fastball, mixed in some effective curves and sliders.

Connecticut got its run in the fourth on a one-out walk, and a two-out RBI double by Brett Pill.

It is clear and windy here at Hadlock Field as the Sea Dogs are taking batting practice, before their 6 p.m. opener.

Junichi Tazawa is starting for the Sea Dogs, which explains the presence of about 10 extra media members, from the Japanese press.

Plenty of tickets are still available.

Here is the Sea Dogs lineup:

At 6 p.m., it should be about 51 degrees in Portland. Balmy for April. So the conditions should be fine for the Portland Sea Dogs tp open their season at Hadlock Field.

Surely the temperature will drop as the game goes on. But the good news is that Sea Dogs starter Junichi Tazawa is a control freak - i.e., he throws strikes.

For more on Tazawa, see the the story in today's Press Herald. For more on the Dogs, see the notes

Among those notes is an item on Josh Reddick reaching a "compromise" with the Red Sox about his batting approach.

The Portland Sea Dog made the expected announcement that Junichi Tazawa will be the starting pitched in Thursday's season-opener against Connecticut, at Hadlock Field at 6 p.m.

Tazawa, 22, is the much-hyped right-hander from Japan. He bypassed the draft into the Japanese professional league and signed a three-year, $3.3-million contract with the Red Sox.

Some of other Red Sox prospects are expected to play Thursday in Portland, including first baseman Lars Anderson, shortstop Argenis Diaz, center fielder Josh Reddick and catcher Mark Wagner.

And now, courtesy of the media reports out of Boston, here is tonight's Red Sox lineup:

Josh Beckett looked like he may never lose ... Dustin Pedroia hit the second pitch he saw out of the park ... Jason Varitek is swinging like he means it.

What does it mean?

It means that Boston is 1-0, with 161 games to go.

Josh Beckett: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K

Boston wins 5-3.

It is currently 46 degrees at Fenway (with 20 m.p.h. winds) and it is going to get colder.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said opening day is exciting for the fans.

"I think it kind of signifies that spring is coming and winter is gone - just maybe not in the next couple of days," he said.

Francona spoke on a few subjects before the game:

Boston's lineup is up, and the tarp is off the field (it rained earlier today).

Jason Varitek , as expected is catching. This is Varitek's 10th opening day start. That ties for eighth among all-time Red Sox (with Dom DiMaggio and Wade Boggs).

Carl Yastrzemski has the most (22).

Josh Beckett makes his first opening-day start for the Red Sox (he did it three times with the Marlins).

And now here's the Red Sox lineup:

Greetings from Fenway, where all is quiet for now.

While we wait for the Red Sox opening day, part II, we can catch up on some minor league movement.

Boston signed right-handed relief pitcher Justin Hedrick, 26, after he was released from the Giants. Don't know if it was a numbers thing, but Hedrick pitched for Connecticut in the Eastern League the past two season, posting ERA's of 2.14 and 1.37.

Hedrick, who formerly pitched for Northeastern University, could end up in Portland.

The only real change caused by today's postponed game was the rotation.

Ace Josh Beckett will still start the opener (now Tuesday), but his next start has been moved from April 11 to the 12th.

No. 5 starter Brad Penny will now make his Red Sox debut on April 11, against the Angels.

At least they called it early. In a break from previous years, the Red Sox did not wait until the last minute to postpone a game. Even though it is not raining now, the forecast is not good. It is going to pour, and it is not going to stop.

The Red Sox are taking a hurry-up batting practice right now.

The opening game, with all the planned pre-game festivities will take place on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Gates open at 2:05.

No official announcement has been made at Fenway Park, but today's Red Sox game has apparently been postponed because of the expected rain.

Red Sox president Larry Lucchino gave the news on radio station WEEI.

The game will be played Tuesday at 4:05 p.m.

More information to follow.

Welcome to Fenway Park, where the grace is green, the atmosphere light, and batting practice is going on right now. The Red Sox are working out here, before Monday's season-opener.

Among the players interviewed in the clubhouse before practice was veteran pitcher John Smoltz. He talked about his tentative schedule for rehab starts before joining the major league team.

Smoltz mentioned Red Sox minor league affiliates in Greenville, S.C.; Salem, Va.; and Pawtucket, R.I.

"What about Portland?" asked the one reporter who would have the most to gain from a John Smoltz rehab start at Hadlock (guess who?).

I still remember the blog I wrote from Florida last March. It concerned comments from Tampa Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir that his team could be a playoff contender.

Without directly laughing at the quote, I questioned it ... okay, I said there was no way it was going to happen.

When the Rays got off to their best start, and there were still doubts ... and the doubts continued until Tampa Bay beat Boston in Game 7 of the ALCS.

In today's column in the Maine Sunday Telegram, we look at the race in the AL East, which is now a THREE-team affair.

The Boston Red Sox sent pitcher Clay Buchholz to Pawtucket today, officially making Brad Penny the No. 5 starter for the start of the season.

Buchholz had a terrific spring, but was headed to the minors if everyone else was healthy.

The Red Sox also officially put five players on the disabled list - pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (the Rule V pick from the Angels who had Tommy John surgery), pitcher John Smoltz, shortstop Julio Lugo, utility player Mark Kotsay and outfielder Jon Van Every (who will eventually end up in Pawtucket).

The Red Sox put together their Double-A roster for Portland on Thursday, with a few surprises.

Left-handed prospect Felix Doubront was expected to go to Class A, but made the Double-A roster (in part because Kris Johnson got promoted to Triple-A).

Aaron Bates will be back for a third season, but in left field, instead of first base (where Lars Anderson will start).

Popular infielder Iggy Suarez is back for a third season. And infielder Zach Borowiak, on a comeback from retirement, has been assigned to Portland, although he is on the disabled list (for undisclosed reasons).

Outfielder Reid Engel, a darkhorse, made the team as the fourth outfielder.

Along with the assignments came the cuts. Three former Sea Dogs were left go - reliever Mike James and outfielders Bryan Pritz and Jay Johnson.

Speaking of being cut, Mike MacDonald's agent emailed to say that while MacDonald was let go by Toronto, he was quickly picked up by the Angels. MacDonald, of Camden and the University of Maine, will again be pitching in Triple-A.

The Sea Dogs roster:

Many players will hear bad news this week. They are being sent down a level, or released. Many will be given encouraging words and told they were caught up "in the numbers."

In other words, teams have better players; or players it needs to keep on the roster for now.

If Brad Penny pitches well today against the Twins, then Clay Buchholz will likely be headed to Triple-A this weekend. Buchholz pitched great this spring, but it's a numbers thing.

Over at the Blue Jays camp, right-handed pitcher Mike MacDonald of Camden (and the University of Maine) was released, according to Baseball America. MacDonald, 27, a 15th-round draft pick in 2004. He reached Triple-A and was 1-4 with a 3.47 ERA last year in 30 games (10 starts).

With three more players assigned to the minors, the Red Sox roster is taking shape.

The Red Sox sent first baseman/outfielder Jeff Bailey, and pitchers Fernando Cabrera and Enrique Gonzalez down, where they will play for Pawtucket.

Now that Chris Carter has officially won the back-up 1B/OF job, the only two spots that remain remotely in question are the back-up infielder and the No. 5 starter.

Nick Green reportedly has beaten out Angel Chavez and Gil Velazquez for the infield position, and Brad Penny is expected to be the fifth starter, although Clay Buchholz is hanging around in case Penny's shoulder is not ready.