Several thoughts while wondering if the Red Sox will ever get on a roll:

While the Red Sox have trouble scoring runs, their other, more pleasant problem is what to do with all the pitching.

Boston already has called up Brandon Workman and Rubby De La Rosa from Triple-A Pawtucket, where it also has two others with major-league experience, Steven Wright and Allen Webster.

But the list continues, headed by Anthony Ranaudo (7-4, 2.58 ERA). Ranaudo gave up 10 earned runs in his first three starts for Pawtucket. Since then he is 6-3 with a 1.82 ERA. But he is in a long line, waiting his turn with Boston.

At least Ranaudo figures to be in Boston’s plans. What will the Red Sox do with left-hander Chris Hernandez (3-6, 3.04)? Sent to the bullpen in Pawtucket, Hernandez was made a starter again when Workman and De La Rosa went up.

In his last four starts, Hernandez is 2-1 with a 1.46 ERA.

So much good pitching.

Of course the armchair general managers are calling for some of those arms to be traded for some offense.

But with so many contending teams, who is going to give up a reliable bat? Then there is the question of which young pitcher do the Red Sox give up on?

Tough call.

HENRY OWENS showed a little extra in his latest superb start, a seven-inning shutout for Portland on Friday. Owens gave up five hits and two walks and occasionally found himself in jams, including a first-and-third, no-out situation in the third inning.

“I was hoping to get a strikeout and then a groundball for a double play,” Owens said.

Close. Owens got a popup to the first baseman in foul territory, then a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

THINK OWENS will make the Eastern League All-Star Game next month? He leads the league in wins (nine) and ERA (1.99).

He should definitely be voted in. But will he be in Altoona for the game, given he’s likely not long for Double-A? Even if he were around, the Red Sox likely won’t want him pitching in it.

Fan voting for the game ends next Sunday. Go to www.easternleague.com for details.

MOVING INFIELDERS to the outfield is becoming trendy for the Red Sox. We’ve seen it happen with Brock Holt in the majors, and Mookie Betts in both Portland and Pawtucket. Infielder Derrik Gibson has become the Sea Dogs’ everyday center fielder.

Now there is Reed Gragnani, a second baseman drafted last year from the University of Virginia. Gragnani, 23, is having a splendid first full pro season, batting .323 with a .419 on-base percentage for Class A Salem. He also has played left field recently.

Call it the Pedroia Syndrome, which earlier affected Betts.

IGGY SUAREZ was thought to have signed with the Boston Red Sox again and placed on the Lowell Spinners roster.

That was sort of true.

Suarez, 32, the former popular Sea Dogs infielder, signed on with the Red Sox as a coach with Lowell.

Suarez has been in the independent leagues the past five years.

RAFEL DEVERS might not be a name you recognize yet.

Devers, only 17, is reportedly ready for a promotion from the Dominican Summer League to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League in Florida.

Devers, a third baseman, was a highly sought after player from the Dominican Republic last summer. The Red Sox landed him with a $1.5 million signing bonus. The Baseball America publication ranked him as Boston’s 20th-best prospect before he played a pro game.

In the Dominican Summer League, he’s batting .371 with three home runs and three triples in 18 games.

CONNECTICUT USED to have three teams in the Eastern League. But the team in New Haven moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, and the Norwich franchise packed up for Richmond, Virginia.

Now it looks like the New Britain Rock Cats are going away – but at least staying in the state.

The team and the city of Hartford recently announced plans for a $60 million stadium for the Rock Cats to begin playing in, in 2016.

Of course there are a few political and financial hurdles to clear before ground is broken on a site near the intersection of Interstates 84 and 91.

Copy the Story Link