Young Clay Buchholz continues to grow up and mature in front of the Boston Red Sox and all of Red Sox Nation as last night he dominated the Baltimore Orioles in an 11-0 win.
Sure the offense behind Kevin Youkilis and Adrian Beltre, who both hit home runs, gave Buchholz the run support he needed. But it probably wouldn’t have mattered as he needed just 101 pitches in a complete game effort. The win for Buchholz was his 8th of the season, a mark that ties him with Tampa Bay Rays young lefty David Price for most in the American League.
Buchholz has come full circle in just a short time. He’s gone from a young, immature pitcher who threw a no-hitter in just his second MLB start, against the Orioles, to a still relatively young more pitcher who’s been the most consistent Red Sox best pitcher all season long.
Last year after being sent back to the minor leagues, he went down there and dominated. And around this time last year, he asked either to be traded or given a shot in the Red Sox rotation. Eventually that chance came and he’s never looked back.
He came into this season as one of six starters in spring training and he might have thought here we go again. But instead, he left Ft. Myers penciled in as the fifth starter with Daisuke Matsuzaka starting the season on the disabled list. And when Dice-K came back from the disabled list, he was the starter holding the Red Sox together and retained his rotation spot.
Like he’s been doing all season long, Buchholz was dominant against the Orioles last night. He mixed in all of his pitches and had great command of them all. He was very efficient as he had two six pitch innings and when he did get in trouble, he continued to execute his pitches and let his defense do the work.
The Red Sox have showed their faith in young Clay and he’s rewarded them very nicely. As Buchholz continues to mature as pitcher, his future only gets brighter.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and links from the day but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.
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Going, going, Gonzo? Why Adrian Gonzalez is unlikey to land with Sox [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
For Buchholz, dominance now comes easily [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Buchholz isn’t lacking [Boston Globe]
Youkilis among game’s best? Completely [Boston Globe]
Hermida injured in collision [Boston Globe]
Recap: Red Sox 11, Orioles 0 [Boston Herald]
Worth a million Buchs [Boston Herald]
Joe Nelson, Rasheed Wallace go back [Boston Herald]
Deja vu by ouch-fielders [Boston Herald]
Buchholz and Sox’ bats slam the O’s [CSN New England]
Cameron feeling significantly better [ESPN Boston]
Despite neck injury, Scutaro producing [ESPN Boston]
Another all-out collision for Red Sox [ESPN Boston]
No no-no, but Buchholz was complete [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Red Sox 11, Orioles 0 [Full Count]
Collision (The Sequel): Beltre claims another teammate [Full Count]
Clay Buchholz Defers Praise to Offense After Fifth Straight Win [NESN.com]
Jon Lester Keeps Red Sox Rolling, Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]
Can Anyone Save the Orioles? [NESN.com]
Buchholz bedazzles Baltimore [Providence Journal]
Francona can identify with fired O’s manager Trembley [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Cameron getting closer to the field [Providence Journal]
Francona talks with Trembley after dismissal [RedSox.com]
Versatile Hall penciled in lineup for opener [RedSox.com]
Cameron making his way back [RedSox.com]
Hermida, Beltre OK following collision [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
And if you must read the enemy paper, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. Or you can check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.
