Can you name the only Boston Red Sox starter without a quality start this season?
Give up? Well, it was last night’s starter Clay Buchholz.
Despite the fact that he won in his last outing, Buchholz has yet to fire off a quality start (6 IP, three earned runs or less) this season. Despite the fact the Red Sox were losing last night 3-1 in the 7th, he was in line for his first quality start until the Baltimore Orioles scored their fourth and final run of the night in the 4-1 win.
Buchholz surrendered a career-high 12 hits last night but ironically enough three of the Baltimore runs came on sacrifice fly. The first one came on Matt Wieters infield single that went off of the first base bag.
Buchholz definitely doesn’t look like the pitcher he was in 2010. He’s looking more like the pitcher that was lost in 2008. There was a reason the Red Sox kept in the minors during 2009 for the better part of the season. He wasn’t mature enough. I’m not saying that he isn’t mature enough, he is. He earned his contract extension because he had matured and pitched well.
But right now, he’s simply not executing as well as did in 2010. Maybe he misses John Farrell? But right now, for the Red Sox to continue their climb out of the deep hole they dug, they’ll need Buchholz to show his 2010 form every fifth day.
Over the past few seasons, the Red Sox have had a hard time when facing pitchers they’ve never seen before. Enter Orioles starter Zach Britton, who was making just his fifth career start. Even though Britton is a lefty, he’s had better success against right handed hitters this season.
Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek were the only righties to get a hit off of him. Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew and David Ortiz had the other hits. Kevin Youkilis brought in the only run of the night on a sacrifice fly.
These two teams were heading in opposite directions before the start of the game.
The Red Sox had battled their way out of the 2-10 hole by winning eight of their last nine games, including five straight. Meanwhile the Orioles had won just two of their last 12 games after starting the season 6-1. But last night, the Orioles were the better team because they got better starting pitching; something that had carried the Red Sox over the nine game stretch.
Another strong start by Josh Beckett tonight could go a long way here. Now we just need Buchholz to get his confidence back.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Waiting for the Gonzo Show: Slugger’s power projections reconsidered [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Orioles touch up Buchholz [Boston Globe]
What side of this argument are you on? [Boston Globe]
It’s a good spot for Varitek [Boston Globe]
Clay Buchholz can’t get going [Boston Herald]
Lefty Zach Britton does all right [Boston Herald]
Terry Francona turns to Jason Varitek again [Boston Herald]
Former Sox hurler Bob Stanley to pitch Mavericks on NESN [Boston Herald]
Varitek looking like the Red Sox’ primary catcher [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox streak snapped by O’s, 4-1 [CSNNE.com]
Buchholz out of luck so far this year [CSNNE.com]
Rapid reaction: Orioles 4, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]
Gentlemen, meet Mr. Britton [ESPN Boston]
CC out of the woods? More bread crumbs, please [ESPN Boston]
Where’s the Buchholz of 2010? [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Orioles 4, Red Sox 1 [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez: ‘Right now, I’m searching’ [Full Count]
Ryan Kalish Confirms He Has Torn Labrum in Shoulder, Will Try Rehab Before Taking Surgery Route [NESN.com]
Carl Crawford Should Make His Way Back to Top of Red Sox Lineup After Recent Success [NESN.com]
Red Sox Must Be Careful In How They Continue to Juggle Catching Situation [NESN.com]
Is the Josh Beckett of 2007 Back for the Red Sox? [NESN.com]
Young Bird Britton puts end to hot streak [Providence Journal]
Crawford, Ellsbury helping Sox get up to speed [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: You can’t argue with Varitek’s outcomes [Providence Journal]
Buchholz yields career-high 12 hits in loss [RedSox.com]
Adrian looking to go on power surge with Sox [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.
Photo credit: Getty Images
