CLAY BUCHHOLZ

A POWERFUL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

June 21, 2007 ... No game scheduled ... Although the Sox have not played before in Petco Park, it will not be a new experience for Daisuke Matsuzaka; he pitched the championship game of the World Baseball Classic there in the spring of 2006. Matsuzaka will be facing Greg Maddux, one of his heroes. In 1999, Matsuzaka was treated to a trip to the World Series as a reward for being named Rookie of the Year in Japan's Pacific League and saw Maddux pitch.

Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury were chosen to play in the All-Star Futures game, to be played July 8, the Sunday before the All-Star Game. Both will play for the United States, which will face the World Team. Ellsbury is batting .282 for the PawSox. He also ranks fourth in the International League with 19 steals. Buchholz recorded his 100th strikeout of the season in the fifth inning of his start Wednesday. He leads the Eastern League with a 1.82 ERA.

Though 2006 first-round pick Daniel Bard couldn't get on track at Single A Lancaster, he is much improved since reaching Greenville, Boston's other Single A outpost. Bard is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in three starts with the Drive. He went 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in Lancaster. He has given up just five hits in 13 innings with Greenville.

Pawtucket outfielder Brandon Moss is hitting .361 (22 for 61) over his last 16 games. He also has 13 RBIs and 11 runs during that time.