Josh Reddick, the Portland Sea Dogs lead-off batter and a top Red Sox outfield prospect, was put on the disabled list, the Sea Dogs announced this morning.

The move is retroactive to April 30, when Reddick strained an oblique muscle in his last at-bat.

Reddick, 22, is batting .288. His six home runs is tied for first among Eastern League batters.

Reddick was replaced by outfielder Matt Sheely from advanced Class A Salem.

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.

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).

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.

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:

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.

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:

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:

It was national news almost two years ago. Former major leaguer Jose Offerman, playing in an independent league baseball game in Bridgeport, Conn., charged the mound after being hit by a pitch.

Nothing unusual about that, but Offerman was running toward the pitcher, while still holding his bat. Catcher John Nathans, a former Portland Sea Dogs player, chased after Offerman, trying to stop him.

Offerman's bat eventually connected ... with Nathan's head. Offerman was arrested after the game for assault. He received probation.

Meanwhile, Nathans still suffers. See today's story in the Maine Sunday Telegram

No announcement has come from Boston or Portland, but the Sea Dogs are scheduled to play another game at Fenway Park, on Saturday, Aug. 8, against the Bowie BaySox.

Every year, the Red Sox host a "Futures at Fenway" doubleheader, featuring two of its affiliates. The Sea Dogs and Lowell Spinners played Fenway in 2007; the Spinners and Pawtucket Red Sox played last year.

No word yet on if Lowell or Pawtucket will play at Fenway this year. Neither of their schedules indicate a Fenway game, although both teams are home on that date.

The Portland Sea Dogs lost a valuable member Thursday when Harold "Top Dog" Lucas died at his home in Auburn. He was 80.

When fans entered Hadlock Field, Top Dog was one of the first to greet them, hawking scorecards and giving away Slugger cards to kids.

He was energetic, joyful and an inspiration.

His obituary is full of honors and volunteer service. A truly wonderful man.

With an attractive guest, the addition of an auction, and a good cause added in, the Portland Sea Dogs are upgrading their annual Hot Stove Dinner (now called the Hot Stove Dinner and Auction).

This season's event will be Friday, Jan. 9, at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland. Former Sea Dogs starter Justin Masterson will be the featured guest. Masterson is now a Red Sox reliever (and future starter?).

Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell thinks Josh Beckett is going to be just fine tonight.

"I expect better fastball command. Better overall command. That was evident in his bullpebn the other day," Farrell said.

In Beckett's last start, " he was dealing with a number of factors in that game against the Angels - two-week layoff. Not only the physical side, but the mental side of an oblique strain ... he had to pitch out of a bunch of jams when he was not at his best.

"It was encouraging for him go out and throw 100-plus pitches. I think we will see the benefits of that outing (tonight)."

The Trenton Thunder scored a run in the ninth inning on a two-out single, followed by three walks, to beat the Portland Sea Dogs 5-4 and eliminate Portland with a three-game sweep in the Eastern League Northern Division series.

Miguel Asencio took the loss.

After the game, Red Sox personnel director Ben Cherington said the status of pitcher Clay Buchholz is "to be determined." He could join Boston or Pawtucket (but the PawSox could be eliminated Saturday), or he is done for the year.

Bryce Cox was promoted to Portland for the playoffs. The reliever struggled in his first appearance Friday. In the 8th inning, Cox loaded the bases with a walk, hit-batter and infield single. With two outs, he hit another batter, bringing home the tying run.

We are tied, 4-4.

Miguel Asencio is on the mound for Portland, entering the 9th.

Lars Anderson crushed a home run to right field in the sixth inning, hitting the inflated LL Bean boot high above the bullpen.

Portland leads 4-3.

Mike James is coming out for his third inning of relief.

Colin Curtis followed his triple in the second inning with a lead-off double in the fourth. He went to third on a single, and scored on a 6-4-3 double play.

Score after four innings: 3-3.

Portland starter Ryne Lawson is out after 76 pitches (3 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K) ... Reliever Mike James is entering in the fifth.

Mickey Hall hit a two-out, full-count home run into the right field pavilion, in the bottom of the second inning, to give the lead back to Portland, 3-2.

Trenton had tied the game in the top of the second with a walk, Colin Curtis' triple to deep center, and a wild pitch.

Jorge Jimenez, Ryan Khoury and Aaron Bates all doubled in the first inning, to give the Portland Sea Dogs a 2-0 lead over Trenton.

Portland made Trenton starter Jason Jones work in the first (31 pitches).

The Portland Sea Dogs set their pitching rotation for the upcoming playoffs, while "lending" a pitcher to Pawtucket, for its playoffs.

The Dogs rotation:

Kris Johnson (8-9, 3.63), Clay Buchholz (1-0, 1.80), Ryne Lawson (1-1, 4.06), Dustin Richardson (7-10, 6.59) and Dave Gassner (8-5, 5.82).

Portland starter Adam Mills (0-5, 4.00) is being sent to pitching-thin Pawtucket.

The Sea Dogs' best-of-5 playoff series with Trenton begins with two games in New Jersey, Wednesday and Thursday. Game(s) 3 and 4 (if necessary) are in Portland. Game 5, if needed, would be Sunday in Trenton.

With one out in the sixth inning, New Hampshire's Jonathan Diaz hit a fly to right, which Sea Dogs right fielder Jered Stanley never saw in the sun. The ball dropped in for a triple, ending Dustin Richardson's no-hit bid.

The shutout was gone after the next batter. Chris Gutierrez tripled to the gap in right center, scoring Diaz. With two outs, J.P. Arencibia singled in Gutierrez.

New Hampshire leads 2-1, going into the bottom of the sixth.

Through 5 innings, Portland Sea Dogs lefty Dustin Richardson has allowed one base runner (hitting Andrew Pinckney with a pitch in the second inning).

He has already tied his season-high for strikeouts with 10. He's thrown 60 pitches (43 for strikes).

Portland leads 1-0, going into the bottom of the fifth.

The Portland Sea Dogs play a meaningless Labor Day game for the first time since 2005. The Sea Dogs' playoff quest the past two years came down to Labor Day (as well as an extra game last year).

Now, with the Sea Dogs clinching a spot on Sunday, they can relax, while manager Arnie Beyeler contemplates his playoff roster.

Catcher John Otness, as expected, is out of the playoffs with a separated shoulder. Juan Apodaca takes his place.

Pitcher Dave Gassner, who was bumped in the elbow Sunday, said he is fine. He could be the starter in Game 3 or 4.

As for Clay Buchholz, he is still here. No official announcement has been made, but Buchholz is likely going to make a start in the playoffs for Portland (Game 2?)

Here is today's Sea Dogs roster:

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.

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:

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:

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.

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.

David Ortiz grounded into a double play to end the third inning.

Ortiz crossed first base, pulled out his shirt and kept walking to the clubhouse door.

The Ortiz show in Hadlock has closed.

In his first at-bat Wednesday evening, David Ortiz never swung his bat, drawing a walk.

Ortiz faced five pitches from Connecticut starter Brooks McNiven. On a 3-1 count, he took one high and inside.

"... batting third, the designated hitter, David Ortiz ..."

The lineup was just announced at Hadlock. Ortiz is in.

And while I'm typing, Ortiz just jogged in from the clubhouse.

Expect him to get two at-bats and say good-bye.

Apparently it is going to take a little longer to get the field ready. Game time has been pushed back to 9 p.m.

The players are on the field warming up. No sign of Ortiz, yet.

The Sea Dogs grounds crew is getting Hadlock Field ready for the game, which is scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m.

Just talked to Ortiz in a media gathering. He talks as if he's going to play. But the field is soaked and the Red Sox may not want that.

Stay tuned.

The rain is still falling, but the Sea Dogs just announced that they expect the rain to stop between 7:30 and 8 p.m.

They are hoping to get this game in.

In the clubhouse, David Ortiz is eating Mexican food, and signing baseballs for Sea Dogs players.

Outside, the tarp is on the Hadlock Field infield, as fans wait in the rain, hoping the Sea Dogs - and Ortiz - will play today.

According to my exclusive sources (i.e., www.weather.com), there is a good chance the rain will continue ... the Sea Dogs people, who have their own radar here at Hadlock, remain optimistic.

If today is rained out, there will be a doubleheader Thursday since this is the last time the Connecticut Defenders come to Portland this year ... of course, Ortiz won't be here Thursday.

Today's Portland Sea Dogs game with the Trenton Thunder has been rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 2.

From bad news to worse ... Sea Dogs outfielder Bubba Bell has a stress fracture in his left femur. Bell initially thought he had a sore quadriceps muscle, but further tests Friday and Saturday revealed the fracture.

Bell, 25, is leaving today for the Red Sox baseball complex in Fort Myers, Fla. to begin treatments. He is out at least four weeks and a return to Portland this year is uncertain.

Shortstop prospect Argenis Diaz has arrived at Hadlock Field, so Sea Dogs shortstop Iggy Suarez is now Sea Dogs second baseman Iggy Suarez (reminds one of 2004 when shortstop Hanley Ramirez arrived and Kenny Perez moved to second).

First baseman Lars Anderson is also in the house. Aaron Bates is the DH.

Here is the Sea Dogs' lineup, vs. Trenton's Chase Wright:

The Northern Division beat the South 5-3 in the Eastern League All-Star Game. Luke Hughes (New Britain) hit a 3-run homer to make the difference.

As for the Sea Dogs ...

Jeff Corsaletti went 1-for-2 with a walk in his final Double-A game.

Zach Daeges grounded out twice to second base.

Beau Vaughan pitched a scoreless 7th inning, but it was not easy. Vaughan gave up a single and a walk, before getting a double-play grounder and another groundout.

Outfielder Bubba Bell will not particpate in the Eastern League Home Run Derby, nor the All-Star game because of a sore quadriceps muscle.

Bell sat out the last game before the break, on Monday, but the Red Sox decided Bell needed more time off.

Bell, like pitcher Michael Bowden, is here, but in uniform only.

More later.

New reliever Richie Lentz is on for the si%th inning, meaning Michael Bowden is done for the night.

Bowden retired the first si% batters he faced. He ended up allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 8 ... He threw 83 pitches (53 strikes).

If Bowden stays on rotation, he would pitch again July 14 in New Britain. But it's likely that Bowden will be skipped in the rotation as the Red So% begin to reduce his workload.

Bowden will appear at the Eastern League All-Star Game July 16, but there is no guarantee he'll pitch.

The guess? His ne%t regular season start will be for Pawtucket.

The Sea Dogs staff is pulling off the tarp (the glamor of working in minor league baseball!). Dean Rogers just announced that the game will start at 8.

Here is the Sea Dogs' lineup:

The weather outside is frightening ... It is very dark here at Hadlock Field. We're waiting for the second half of the thunderstorms coming in (the first part was simply a tease).

The hope is that the Sea Dogs game will be played once it passes through.

You can always hope.

Michael Bowden is scheduled to pitch, so it's worth hanging around for.

The Sea Dogs had one transaction today:

The Portland Sea Dogs lead the Reading Phillies 4-2 after seven innings, on a hot Monday afternoon at Hadlock Field. The RBI hits have come courtesy of Bubba Bell, John Otness, Tony Granadillo (double) and Zach Daeges.

Kyle Jackson pitched a season-high six innings (6 IP 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K), and Daniel Bard is in from the pen (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K so far).

Thought you might like to see a St. Pete Times story on the Tampa Bay Rays as they keep hoping their young players hold on.

While watching Justin Masterson duel with Mike Mussina (1-0 Yanks after 5), got the news that Michael Bowden is scheduled to make his next start for the Sea Dogs on July 9 ... i.e. no immediate promotion to Pawtucket coming.

Here is the Sea Dogs' lineup tonight:

Mark Wagner's two-run homer in the second held up as the Sea Dogs beat Reading 2-1 Friday night.

Michael Bowden carried a perfect game into the fifth inning. He gave up a pair of two-out singles in the frame and was done after only 64 pitches. The Red Sox want to limit Bowden's workload.

Of the relievers, T.J. Large threw a 1-2-3 sixth ... Daniel Bard showed a wild side (3 walks in 1 1/3 innings, as well as a single and an unearned run) ... Beau Vaughan got his 11th save with five outs.

Check back Saturday morning for the usual update on the Sox and their farm system.

Portland Sea Dogs ace Michael Bowden retired the first 14 Reading Phillies he faced, before yielding two straight singles, with two outs in the fifth, Friday evening at Hadlock Field.

The next batter popped out. Bowden has thrown 68 pitches (48 strikes) so far.

The Sea Dogs lead, on Mark Wagner's two-run homer in the second.

The Sea Dogs are 15 minutes away from playing Reading at Hadlock... as the Red Sox-Yankees game resumes in the Bronx.

The Dogs are a little cranky today. They did not get back from Trenton until late today because of a six-hour bus breakdown in New Jersey.

Someone here in the pressbox joked that tonight is Michael Bowden's "fourth final start for Portland" as speculation continues that he will get promoted to Triple-A at any time.

Portland trails first-place Trenton by 4 games in the Eastern League Northern Division ... and 1 game behind second-place Binghamton ...

Here is the Sea Dogs lineup:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

That 6-0 Sea Dogs lead just evaporated with a 7-run third inning by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Portland starter Kris Johnson gave up six hits and all seven runs (6 earned).

Johnson left with the score tied 6-6 and runners on 1st and 3rd. Ryan Klosterman bunted off reliever Mike James. He fielded the ball, but then lost the grip. The error brought in the go-ahead run.

Portland scored five runs in the top of the second inning to take a 6-0 lead in New Hampshire.

The Sea Dogs led 1-0 after the first inning. Jeff Corsaletti walked, reached third on Tony Granadillo's single to right center, and scored when Zach Daeges grounded into a double play.

Here is how the second inning went:

The Portland Sea Dogs showed off two more pitching prospects of the Boston Red Sox this afternoon, in a 4-1 Portland win over New Britain.

Michael Bowden pitched a 1-hitter over seven innings. The one hit allowed was an infield single on a close play in the second inning. Bowden struck out five and retired the last 17 batters he faced.

Bowden's "heavy fastball" was working as New Britain got few hard hits against him. He did not walk a batter.

Bowden, 21, has seen teammates Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson make it to the majors. He believes he is close.

Portland Sea Dogs lefty Dustin Richardson left a few pitches up in the first inning, and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats did not miss them.

New Hampshire scored four runs in the first, on the way to a 7-3 win over the Sea Dogs Thursday afternoon at Merchantsauto.com Stadium..

The loss ended the Sea Dogs nine-game road trip with a 6-3 mark. They return to Hadlock Field for 14 home games over the next 18 days.

It looked worse, and Bubba Bell thought it sounded worse. But, to Bell's relief, the diagnosis of his injury Friday night is a high ankle sprain.

Justin Masterson gave up 4 earned runs over 5 1/3 innings Monday night.

But don't think it was a bad outing. Masterson had his stuff working.

From crowded Fenway park on Tuesday to Dodd Stadium in Norwich, CT tonight, where the Sea Dogs will be playing the Connecticut Defenders ...

I'll be blogging soon on Bob Stanley's reaction to the Bill Buckner appearance at Fenway. Stanley, the Portland native who also played on that '86 Red sox team, is the Defenders' pitching coach.

In Sea Dogs news, Portland added pitcher Miguel Asencio to the roster, replacing the void left by Chris Smith's promotion.

The field is holding up so far, but the power went out in New Britain Stadium, causing a 27-minute delay.

There was also a problem with the wireless, but I think we're okay.

After 3 innings, we're scoreless. Justin Masterson has allowed two infield singles. He's thrown 38 pitches so far, with 25 strikes.

Catcher Mark Wagner threw out the first runner trying to steal on him, in the third.

The start of the Portland Sea Dogs game tonight in New Britain was in doubt until just a few minutes ago.

The Portland Sea Dogs have a roster of 24 players.

But changes will be coming with some veteran players left behind in Fort Myers, nursing injuries.

The Trenton Thunder beat the Sea Dogs in the Northern Division playoffs last year, on the way to their first Eastern League title.

It not only was the Thunder's first championship, but it marked the end of Portland's dominance over Trenton in the playoffs (The Dogs topped the Thunder in the 2005 and '06 playoffs).

The Thunder look good again in 2008, according to John Nalbone of the Times of Trenton.

Just a public service reminder that the Portland Sea Dogs are looking for host families for some of their players.

Host families usually charge reduced-rate rent or none at all. The players are here from April through early September (although they are on the road half of the time, and usually spend most of their other time at Hadlock Field)

After losing five straight games, the Portland Sea Dogs get one more chance to reach the playoffs, when they play a home game Tuesday night at 6, at Hadlock Field, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Tickets are on sale between 6-9 tonight at the Hadlock ticket office, and again at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

On Monday, New Britain beat Portland 11-7, while New Hampshire lost to Trenton, 8-6. It was the Fisher Cats' third straight loss.

Somebody will have to win Tuesday night.

The Boston Red Sox lead may be slipping in the American League East, but it does not compare to the Portland Sea Dogs, who lost again Monday night, 6-2 to the Binghamton Mets.

The Sea Dogs have lost 11 of their last 14 games and now lead New Hampshire by only one game, for second place in the Eastern League Northern Division (the top two teams in the division reach the playoffs.

It is rare, but the fog sometimes rolls into Hadlock Field. It is usually light, and does not last for long.

If Norwich was so lucky. The Eastern League All-Star game has just been canceled in the third inning because the fog is too thick, and it is not going anywhere.

The game should not have been started, but officials were hoping for some kind of miracle. No chance. Outfielders stood still when balls were hit, not having a clue where they were.

One other All-Star note: former Sea Dogs outfielder Brandon Moss homered in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

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

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

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.

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.

Clay Buchholz is finished tonight and will not get a decision. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, one walk, two runs (one earned), while striking out 11.
We're now headed to the bottom of the seventh. Score still 2-2.

Clay Buchholz has 10 strikeouts in five ininngs so far, in the Sea Dogs game with Binghamton Mets. Buchholz broke Portland record for consecutive strikeouts, with eight (Beckett had six straight in his Sea Dogs debut on June 16, 2001; Jon Lester and Kason Gabbard also recorded six straight in 2005).
The score is tied 2-2. Buchholz has allowed three hits.
More later

As expected, Charlie Zink was promoted today to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he is scheduled to start tonight. Zink, the knuckleball pitcher who spent most of last year in Triple-A, has been waiting for an opening in Pawtucket. With Devern Hansack still with Boston, Pawtucket needed another arm.

Earlier we stated the obvious, that a team can never have enough arms. After John Barnes' performance Tuesday night, we now ask: Can a team ever have enough knuckleball pitchers?

Jacoby Ellsbury is not exactly looking chipper, but he plans to be in the lineup today for the Sea Dogs.

No Sea Dogs again today. That makes 7-of-10 homes games postponed, so far (two from the record, and it's only April 18) ... Thought you might like to read anoher Devern Hansack story, this from Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal.

Sea Dogs rained out again. They will try to play a doubleheader with Trenton Wednesday at noon. The rain may let up, but the field is soaked. We'll see.

When Jeremy West was traded to the White Sox organization, the Sea Dogs appeared to have no first basemen. Welcome Eric Crozier, who enjoyed his big-league cup of coffee in 2004. He is a great story (time for a plug for tomorrow's Press Herald) and he had the big hit Wednesday, a three-run homer in an 8-5 Sea Dogs win over New Britain.

How long will Jacoby Ellsbury stay in Portland? Not long, if he keeps having games like he did in the Sea Dogs opener on Monday.

Sea Dogs pitchers are warming up and stretching in right field, and the lineup is tacked up in the clubhouse. Finally, the 2007 season has arrived. Here is today's Sea Dogs lineup.

Saturday's scheduled Sea Dogs game has been postponed because of the snow. They will try to get the season-opener in Sunday at 1 p.m.

Just spent this morning with the Sea Dogs at the University of Southern Maine fieldhouse. They arrived in snow flurries and left the same way. Get used to the indoor practices, boys.

The Red Sox just annnounced two moves (of two former Sea Dogs) that certainly were not a surprise. David Murphy was sent to Pawtucket, while Jeff Bailey was assigned to the minor league camp (Bailey will also go to Pawtucket).

There was no room for Murphy as the Red Sox already have five outfielders with Ramirez, Crisp, Drew, Pena and Eric Hinske; with Hinkse also available to play the corners. Bailey is a back-up outfielder and first-baseman.

Forgot to include the pitcher when I sent in the Red Sox lineup today. Guy named Schilling. Looks like he'll make the club.

Outfielder Chris Durbin, who was expected to return to the Portland Sea Dogs for a third season, told the Red Sox he has retired. Durbin was an Eastern League All-Star in 2005. He reported to the Red Sox minor league camp at the start of this month, but recently left. I will have more on Durbin's decision in Friday's Press Herald.

A former Sea Dogs outfielder announced some good news. David Murphy and his wife Andrea are expecting their first baby.

First-baseman Jeremy West and outfielder Matt Van Der Bosch are here in Clearwater with the big-league club. Both said they expect to be back with the Sea Dogs this season. West is sporting eyeglasses for the first time.

ESPN's Gary Thorne is working today's game. He has another baseball game tomorrow, but his mind will be on the NCAA hockey tournament Friday night. "Go Black Bears," Thorne said when he saw a reporter from Maine (that would be me). Thorne, of course, is the former radio voice of the University of Maine hockey team.

Talk to you after the game.