Pitching rotation expands

But instead of piggy-backing two starters in one game like they did to open the year, the Red Barons made an unorthodox decision: They will use a six-man rotation instead of the common five.

"Down the stretch here, it will benefit everybody," Red Barons pitching coach Goose Gregson said. "Everybody gets an extra day's rest, plus we can stay with a five-man bullpen."

Dodd is 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA, striking out 15 and walking five in 15 innings, in his four appearances since he was promoted from Double-A Reading.

Shumaker, who was promoted to Philadelphia Aug. 13, was optioned back Monday when Joe Grahe was sent up to bolster the Phillies bullpen. Shumaker is expected to return to Philadelphia by Sept. 1, when the major league rosters expand to 40 players for the final month of the season, but he will return to the Red Barons rotation until then.

The rotation -- for the next couple of weeks -- is this: Mike Grace, who started Thursday; Adam Eaton (0-1), who will make his second Triple-A start today; Shumaker goes Saturday; Dodd (2-0) will pitch Sunday; Joel Bennett (10-4) is set for Monday; and Brian Looney (5-0), just signed last week as a free agent, will throw Tuesday.

The bullpen has lefty Sean Fesh (4-3) and right-handers Tyler Green (3-4), Barry Johnson (5-9), Jimmy Myers (0-0) and Darryl Scott (5-6).

"This particular time of the season, you've been developing all season to get to this position," Gregson said. "Now you get people in position to hopefully win some games. You're still developing guys in case they get a September call-up, but you've got to get them in position so they can win some games for us."

Prince departs

Catcher Tom Prince, on an injury rehabilitation assignment from the Phillies, left the Red Barons Thursday and flew to Chicago after his father suffered a mild heart attack. Prince is expected to return to the team by Sunday.

Today's pitchers

In a matchup of top prospects, Red Barons RHP Adam Eaton (0-1, 6.00) will make his second Triple-A start against Pawtucket RHP Tomo Ohka (6-0, 1.79). Ohka was promoted to Boston Monday but optioned back Wednesday after the Red Sox acquired LHP Kent Mercker.

-- Randy Yanoshak