GAME 11 – 4/14/2013 – Home Vs. Tampa Bay Rays

RESULT – WIN – 5-0

I’ll always remember watching Clay Buchholz’s first no hitter.  It was way back on September 1^st of 2007 and my wife and I were on vacation relaxing eating dinner as the first six frames went by.  I remember while doing the dishes and glancing at the TV when the bottom of the sixth was over and before commercial they showed the score line and there were no hits for Baltimore.  I remember saying to my wife, wow, Buch’s throwing a no-no, and wouldn’t that be cool to see.  JINX!  I was sure I jinxed him.  My wife even looked at me with the face of non-belief.  You can’t say that during a no hitter.  Even if you’re watching it on TV, you just can’t say it.

Well, yesterday after the bottom of the seventh, before the commercial, I nudged my wife and said, “Look at the score” with my eye brows laced high.  She again rolled her eyes and shook her head.  “Again?” she said.  “You got lucky last time but you can’t keep doing that.”  Well, Clay, I’d like to say I’m sorry for jinxing you yesterday but man what a great game you pitched!

Buchholz was outstanding the first 7 frames of Sundays’ outing.  He was only at 90 pitches after seven and came on in the eight to face Kelly Johnson who he had already retired twice via the strikeout before.  This time, Buchholz tried to throw back to back curveballs for the first time all afternoon.  Johnson was ready for the second one and although his bat shattered on contact, there was enough on it to fall into shallow right field for the first hit of the afternoon.  The 35,198 people in Fenway Park all gave Clay a well deserved standing ovation.  The stellar starting pitching the Sox have gotten so far in this young season paled in comparison to the afternoon of Clay Buchholz on Sunday.  Buchholz gave up another hit in the inning but got the final out without allowing a run.  He would come out of the game after that as his pitch count was at 109 and the game was pretty much in control.  His final line on the afternoon 8 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 11 K’s and 4 walks.  His season ERA has dropped to 0.41 and he has 3 wins in his first 3 starts.  Fantastic afternoon Clay, I was on the edge of my seat from the fifth inning on.

Andrew Miller came on in the ninth and gave up a hit but also struck out a batter to close out the Rays who are struggling with the bats early this season.  They have the lowest hit total in the American League (73) and haven’t clicked offensively at all this year.  Desmond Jennings and Evan Longoria are the only 2 others to have a hit besides Kelly Johnson and no runner made it past second base all day.

The Sox did pretty much all of their damage in the 3^rd inning when they scored 4 runs on 4 hits and a big error.  The first 5 batters reached base with 3 straight singles by Ellsbury, Victorino and Pedroia.  Napoli hit a long double to center field with the bases loaded that’s probably gone in any other ballpark plating 2.  Nava then was hit by a pitch to load the bases again.  Middlebrooks hit a weak groundball back to Alex Cobb who bobbled it and almost didn’t get the force out at home.  He recovered and was able to toss it to Jose Molina for the force out in the nick of time to get the first out of the inning.  Stephen Drew then hit a potential double play ball to James Loney at first base but they could only get the runner at second and then Yunel Escobar threw the ball into the dugout to plate another run.  It was all the scoring they would need.  They did add another run in the 7^th on a sacrifice fly by Will Middlebrooks.  Dustin Pedoria went 3 for 4 with a double and also stole his first base of the year.  Ellsbury, Victorino, Napoli, Middlebrooks and Salty all had a hit apiece.  Drew and Jackie Bradley were the only ones held hitless with Bradley striking out twice.  His batting average is now down to an abysmal .107 and seems all but guaranteed to be sent down when David Ortiz joins the roster in the next day or two.

The Sox have the early start today with the annual Patriot’s Day game at 11:05 with Ryan Dempster seeking his first victory of the year.  He’s looked good his first 2 starts but his first win as alluded him to this point.  Hopefully Clay’s performance on Sunday will inspire him.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Clay Buchholz.  He came within six outs of becoming only the 27^th pitcher to ever throw multiple no hitters.  He struck out 11 and looked unhittable on Sunday.  His curveball was just nasty and his change-up looked like it did back in 2010 when he won 18 games and had a low 2 ERA.  When Clay’s change-up is on, it’s unhittable.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Jackie Bradley Jr.  Jackie went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and continues to look overmatched at the plate.  He’ll probably get the start on Monday because the Rays are throwing a right handed hitter but at this point, I think I’d like to see Jonny Gomes get a crack as Jackie just can’t get it done right now.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Top of the eighth inning, Clay’s second pitch of the inning.  A broken bat single to right field to break up the no-no by Kelly Johnson.  So close!

NEXT

Monday, April 15^th (Jackie Robinson Day) vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.