Still developing

Clay Buchholz was obviously not sharp in Boston's 3-1 loss to Texas. But how do you blame it on Buchhholz when all the Red Sox offense can manage is a Nick Green solo home run?

That said, Buchholz is still developing. Forget the no-hitter in 2007, or the great Triple-A stats in 2009. He is still learning how to pitch in the major leagues. The fact that he lasted only four innings in Texas, needing 90 pitches, says a lot.

Buchholz was getting ahead of hitters (14-of-21 first-pitch strikes) and had many 0-2. But Buchholz could not put batters away. He nibbled too much. His line: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K; 90 pitches, 56 strikes).

Here is how the Red Sox starting rotation depth looks: Two aces (Beckett and Lester), an old knuckleball pitcher with an ailing back (Wakefield), three guys who look like No. 5 starters (Smoltz, Penny and Buchholz), and one who is in limbo (Matsuzaka).

Don't know how Adam LaRoche really helps this lineup (or what it means for Mark Kotsay).

Pawtucket also is having trouble on offense, getting four hits on Wednesday. Charlie Zink (4-11, 5.64) lasted only 1 2/3 innings (6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 0 K).

The Sea Dogs swept in New Britain with fine pitching. Most encouraging was the 7-inning shutout tossed by Felix Doubront (4 H, 0 BB, 10 K). He has always showed he has stuff, but not enough command to get late in the game. He did that Wednesday ... Blake Maxwell (2-6, 6.26) got the other win, going 5 innings (3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K).

Salem outfielder Daniel Nava, 26, is an interesting case. Plucked from the independent leagues before last year, he batted .341 in advanced Class A. He began this year on the DL but is again hitting in advanced A, batting .375 in 17 games for Salem.

Greenville starter Stolmy Pimentel (9-4, 2.95) took the loss (6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 6 K). Two homers accounted for all the runs.

Kason Gabbard made a rehab start for Lowell (3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 K).

Outfielder Reymond Fuentes (.357) keeps going in the Gulf Coast league, going 3-for-5 ... Casey Kelly (.250) went 2-for-5.