Tazawa starts for Portland, but how many more times?

Portland Sea Dogs right-hander Junichi Tazawa (4-3, 2.74 ERA) will pitch this morning in New Hampshire. Unless he really struggles, it may be time to say good-bye, and wish him well in Pawtucket. Tazawa has been strong in his last six starts (1.61 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 28 innings). His breaking pitches can overwhelm Double-A hitters. Triple-A would offer more of a challenge.

Felix Doubront is the other Sea Dogs starter prospect. He has good stuff but is only 21 and is still learning how to pitch. His command was off Wednesday and he gave up 5 runs (2 unearned) in 2 2/3 inning.

Former Sea Dogs pitcher Clay Buchholz came one hit away from a perfect game on Monday. On Wednesday, knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink, another former Sea Dogs starter, carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He allowed one single over 7 1/3 innings in Pawtucket's 2-0 win in Louisville ... catcher John Otness (.300) went 2-for-4.

Andrew Dobies made his first pitch in a game in over a year when he relieved for two innings for the Greenville Drive.  He gave up a hit and a run (unearned).

Greenville split a doubleheader. First baseman Anthony Rizzo (.282) hit his fifth home run.