Young duo won't be pitching in

Buchholz and Bowden are done for the season

Clay Buchholz electrified the Red Sox last September when he threw a no-hitter in his second career start, but then he suffered through a difficult rookie year. Michael Bowden was solid in his winning five-inning debut this month, and dominated in the minors. Neither prospect, though, will return to the club for the stretch run.

With Bowden nearing his innings cap - he's at 149 1/3 - the organization has decided to shut down the pitcher, who turns 22 today. The Sox spoke with him yesterday, letting him know that, given the year he's had, "It's time to congratulate him, let him go about his winter of continuing to get stronger, develop and things like that," said manager Terry Francona.

"Bowden is essentially at his innings limit, and, considering all the factors involved, we thought it best not to push him further for what would have been a very limited role out of the pen this month," wrote general manager Theo Epstein in an e-mail. "He ends a terrific development year on a high note, having gotten a taste of the big leagues and winning his first major league game."

Bowden, whose name still adorns a locker in the Fenway Park clubhouse, spent most of this season frustrating Double A batters, going 9-4 with a 2.33 ERA in 104 1/3 innings. He moved up to Triple A after the All-Star break, going 0-3 with a 3.38 ERA. He made his major league debut against the White Sox Aug. 30, allowing two runs on seven hits in five innings, and earning the victory.

The Red Sox also spoke with Buchholz about plans for him. Unlike Bowden, whose only major league experience was positive, Buchholz struggled mightily with the Red Sox this season. In 16 appearances (15 starts), he went 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA.

It was worse as the season wore on. Buchholz had been sent down to the minors after going on the disabled list with a torn fingernail, and things didn't improve when he returned. In his last 10 appearances, including one in relief, Buchholz had a 9.21 ERA and an 0-7 record. He walked 27 batters in 42 innings.

"Buchholz had a positive development experience in his brief time back at Portland," wrote Epstein of the decision to send Buchholz to Double A Aug. 20 to work with pitching coach Mike Cather. "There will be specific challenges laid out for him this winter, and we want him to get a brief break before he starts that work."

Quite a home run

The ownership group of John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino became responsible for the Red Sox in 2001, and the warnings immediately followed. Nothing could prepare them, they heard ad nauseum, for the fervor that surrounds the franchise.

They understand that first-hand now. Last night, the group achieved another milestone, selling out Fenway Park for a record-breaking 456th consecutive game. The Cleveland Indians, who sold out Jacobs Field for 455 consecutive games from June 12, 1995, to April 2, 2001, now are in second place. Since May 15, 2003, the Sox have sold 16,298,530 tickets without tearing up a single one.

"I never could have imagined anything like this," Henry said. "Everyone said at the beginning, 'You have no idea what you're in for with regards to the fans in Red Sox Nation.' And I think that's been proven over this streak. It's just an incredible accomplishment by the fans, by Larry, and the organization."

Drew is activated

J.D. Drew, who last played Aug. 17, was activated from the 15-day disabled list but didn't play last night. His back tightness improved over recent days, enough that he took live batting practice and balls in the outfield over the weekend in Texas . . . The Sox called up catcher George Kottaras and first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter . . . Mark Kotsay led off and played right field in place of Jacoby Ellsbury. While Ellsbury had a tight quad in Texas, Francona said that wasn't really the reason he kept him out of the lineup. "I changed my mind a few times," Francona said. "I didn't want Kots to sit three days in a row. I want to make sure everybody stays healthy, stays productive." Kotsay went 2 for 3 and is hitting .297 since joining the club . . . Francona downplayed David Ortiz's worries about the clicking in his left wrist. "I'm there all day with them, so I don't put as much stock into that as what they tell me," he said. Francona added that Ortiz knows to simply ask when he needs a day off.

Plenty of nothing

This from the Maniacal Chuck Waseleski: Jon Lester has now started seven games in which the Sox have shut out their opponent. That gives him the most in that category in the major leagues . . . Lester is undefeated in seven career starts against the Rays, and is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three games against them this season . . . Coco Crisp had three hits, bringing him to .568 (21 for 37) over his 10-game hitting streak. Crisp also nabbed steal No. 20, the fourth time in his career he's reached that mark . . . Bartolo Colon's outing for Pawtucket Sunday keeps him in line to start one of the two games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays . . . The unlucky member of the Red Sox fantasy football contingent? That would be Sean Casey, owner of Tom Brady. "It hit me hard," Casey said. His backup - at least for now - is Jon Kitna.

Adam Kilgore of the Globe staff contributed to this report.