Portland Sea Dogs’ right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Additionally right-handed pitcher Chris Smith rejoins the Sea Dogs from Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox also released Sea Dogs’ first baseman Eric Crozier.

Buchholz, the Red Sox top pitching prospect, appeared in 16 games for the Sea Dogs posting a 7-2 record with an Eastern League leading 1.77 ERA. His 116 strikeouts is the second most in all of Minor League Baseball.

The 22 year-old participated in the 2007 MLB Futures All-Star Game in San Francisco on Sunday, July 8th. Buchholz was also selected to the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game, although he will not participate due to his participation in the Future’s Game. He was selected as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 25th through July 1st. The Red Sox also honored him as the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for the month of May.

The Lumberton, Texas native, was selected by the Red Sox as the 42nd overall pick in the June 2005 draft. In 2006 he was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after compiling an 11-4 record with a 2.42 ERA and leading all Red Sox farmhands with 140 strikeouts.

Smith returns to Portland after making one relief appearance for the Pawsox on July 2nd. Smith tossed two innings, allowing no runs on four hits. The 26 year-old has made 19 appearances for the Sea Dogs this season with a 3-4 record, one save and a 2.53 ERA. Smith was a fourth round pick of the Red Sox in the June 2002 draft.

The 28 year-old Crozier was hitting .236 in 63 games with the Sea Dogs. He had a team high nine home runs and was second on the team with 44 RBI’s. Crozier appeared in 14 Major League games with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004. He was signed as a minor league free agent by the Red Sox in December 2006.

Three Sea Dogs players; pitcher Charlie Zink, shortstop Jed Lowrie, and outfielder Jeff Corsaletti will participate in the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 11th at 7:05 PM in Norwich, Connecticut.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on Thursday, July 12th at 7:00 PM to take on the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins). Tickets for most Sea Dogs home games are available and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or ordering online at www.seadogs.com

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