The Red Sox and their embarassment of riches

You can have Ian Kennedy (who can't get anyone out), you can wait for Phil Hughes to get healthy and enjoy 4.2 innings of work from Joba every fifth day, I'll take the Red Sox' young arms any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Rookie Justin Masterson moved to 3-0 yesterday in his fourth major league start as the Sox edged the Mariners, 2-1, at Fenway.

It's not as if everything has gone off without a hitch for Boston's (40-26) young pitchers. Clay Buchholz (currently rehabbing) and Jon Lester (he of the no-hitter) have dealt with control issues while Craig Hansen was almost ruined as the Sox called him up way too soon to the majors (in 2006, his first professional season). The unstoppable force has been Jonathan Papelbon and Masterson is quickly making a name for himself as well. Overall, everything seems to be coming together for this talented group of players that Boston has drafted and developed in their farm system, what a concept.

J.D. Drew continued to be the man of the hour as he knocked in both runs yesterday. He was hit by Erik Bedard's pitch with the bases loaded in the third, which tied the game at one. Then he cranked a solo homer off Seattle reliever Sean Green in the sixth. Drew also starred in the field as he saved at least one run, possibly two with a running, leaping catch of Richie Sexson's line drive in the second with two men on base.

Seattle (22-41) took a 1-0 lead in the second on a ground out but Masterson escaped further trouble, thanks to Drew. The big right-hander went six innings, giving up three hits, three walks and four strikeouts. He kept his pitch count down, he left having thrown only 88 pitches. Being born in Jamaica probably helped him too as the game-time temperature was a scalding 98 degrees. No word on whether his old Little League coach Ziggy Marley was in attendance.

Craig Hansen-who's firmly entrenching himself in the seventh inning role-pitched a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts. Hideki Okajima struck out one in a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Papelbon retired the side in the ninth on five pitches for his 18th save of the season.

The Red Sox get a welcome day off after taking the series with the Mariners and playing in some extreme heat the last two days. Baltimore comes to Fenway tomorrow for three games.