Organizational One-Stop: 4/5/08

Rain was the big winner Friday as three of the Red Sox’ four minor league affiliates were rained out. Single-A Lancaster, the only affiliate to take the field, dropped its second in a row. The big league Sox, meanwhile, fell 6-3 to the Blue Jays in Toronto. Here’s the soggy recap:

Red Sox: The Blue Jays scored three runs in the sixth to break a scoreless tie and answered J.D. Drew’s three-run homer in the top of the seventh with two more runs to take the lead for good as they beat the Sox. 6-3, in front of 50,171 in Toronto. David Aardsma walked David Eckstein leading off the seventh and took the loss when Frank Thomas delivered a two-run double off Manny Delcarmen. Tim Wakefield allowed only two hits through five innings before he gave up three runs on four hits—including a leadoff homer by Matt Stairs and RBI singles by Lyle Overbay and Aaron Hill—in the sixth. Blue Jays starter Shawn Marcum allowed just one hit through six innings—a double by Kevin Cash—and was working on a two-hitter when Drew took him deep for his first homer of the year. But the Sox recorded just one hit in the final two innings against relievers Brian Tallet and Jeremy Accardo. The Sox and Jays play again today, when Clay Buchholz opposes Jesse Litsch.

Triple-A Pawtucket: The PawSox’ International League game against Indianapolis was rained out in Pawtucket, RI. It was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader today. David Pauley and Charlie Zink are scheduled to start for the PawSox.

Double-A Portland: The Sea Dogs’ Eastern League game against New Britain was rained out in New Britain, CT. A makeup date was not announced. Michael Bowden is scheduled to start today for the Sea Dogs against New Britain.

Single-A Lancaster: Jon Still homered for the second straight game, but it wasn’t enough as High Desert edged the JetHawks, 7-5, in California League action front of 1,717 in Adelanto, CA. Reid Engel had three hits while Chih-Hsien Chiang, Zak Farkes and Jorge Jimenez each had three hits. It was the second straight multi-hit game for both Farkes and Jimenez. Chiang and Jimenez each had an RBI. Adam Mills took the loss for the JetHawks after he allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk with two strikeouts in four innings. Blake Maxwell allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts in two innings. Richie Lentz struck out four in two perfect innings of relief for the JetHawks, who committed four errors. Jimmy James, who will be making his high-A debut, is scheduled to start for the JetHawks tonight as they continue their four-game series against High Desert tonight.

Single-A Greenville: The Drive’s South Atlantic League game against Kannapolis was rained out in Greenville, SC. It was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader today. Nick Hagadone, who will be making his full-season debut, is scheduled to start the opener for the Drive.