Lowell Returns, Buchholz Shines in Red Sox Win
Clay Buchholz earned a win in his big league season debut.
The Boston Red Sox 4-1 victory Friday night over the Totronto Blue Jays clearly illustrates just how deep and talented the pitching staff is for the AL East leaders.
Starting pitcher Clay Buchholz made his season debut a successful one as he allowed only four hits and one run in 5.2 innings of work.
His reward for the great performance? A trip back to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Buchholz was called up to pitch the first game for Boston after the All-Star Game to allow the already formidable starting pitching staff another day of rest.
Already possessing the deepest pitching staff in the game, Buchholz’s performance just reminds the rest of baseball that even if someone falters, the Sox have options waiting in the wings.
Buchholz was part of the Red Sox staff for much of the 2008 season, but was 0-7 in his final 10 games and sent back to the minors in August. The win over Toronto was the sixth of his career and first since May 2, 2008.
The Red Sox jumped out to a quick advantage as Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give Buchholz all the runs he would need.
Toronto cut the lead to one with a sacrifice fly by Alex Rios in the fourth inning.
Boston responded in the fifth as David Ortiz blasted a deep double to left to score Dustin Pedroia and Youkilis.
The game marked the return of Mike Lowell after missing three weeks of action. He responded with two hits.
Boston is expected to welcome back another starting infielder this weekend with the return of Jed Lowrie. The starting shortstop for the Sox down the stretch last season, Lowrie played in only five games in April before being sidelined by a wrist injury.
The Red Sox play their first six games after the break on the road. They will return to Fenway Park on July 24 to host Baltimore.
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