GAME 22– 4/25/2013 – Home vs. the Houston Astros

RESULT – WIN 7-2

Clay Buchholz looks like the 2010 version of Clay Buchholz.  In 2010, Clay went 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA, was an All-Star and looked like he was destined to be an ace.  Then injuries came and he’s been mediocre since.  In 2011 and 2012, he combined for 43 starts, was 17-11 with a 4.24 ERA.  He fared better in late 2012 as his back injury finally seemed to be at 100% but this year he’s in another zone.  He became only the 4^th Red Sox pitcher to start a season with 5 straight wins (Josh Beckett, Pedro Martinez & Babe Ruth the others).  He also became the first in the Majors this year to 5 wins.

Buchholz pitched 7 2/3 innings, gave up 6 hits, 2 runs, walked 2 and struck out 10.  The Astros went down looking on 6 of his strikeouts as Clay had his two-seamer and cutter painting both corners.  He continues to be aggressive and pitch inside to left handed hitters with his two-seam fastball getting a lot of groundballs or strikeouts.  His confidence is at an all time high and although they’ll be a poor game coming, I think we’re seeing an ace emerge.  He and Jon Lester are starting to form one of the most deadly 1-2 punches in baseball.

The Astros visited Fenway Park for the first time since 2003 and the first time as an American League team.  Houston switched from the National League to the American League this year and is in the middle of a rebuilding phase.  Last night, their offense just couldn’t get anything going scoring once in two separate innings that they were able to get a leadoff double.  Fernando Martinez went 3 for 4 and Jason Castro went 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.  Old friend Carlos Pena went 0 for 4 with a strikeout and Chris Carter was 1 for 4 with a run.  The struggling Stros have been having a difficult time scoring runs this year and let’s hope that continues through the next 3 games.

On the hill for the Astros was Phil Humber, who if you remember threw a perfect game on April 21, 2012 has struggled since his big game.  He has an ERA above 7.00 since throwing the perfecto and so far this year he’s 0-5 with a 7.99 ERA.  The Sox torched him Thursday for 10 hits and 7 runs in only 4 and 2/3 innings.  He walked 3 and managed to strike out 5 but this Sox team strikes out a lot so I don’t know if that’s necessarily on him or the aggressiveness of the Red Sox hitters.  Travis Blackley and Jose Cisnero came in relief and only allowed 1 hit the rest of the game but by then the damage was done.

Big Papi continues to be scorching hot since coming off the DL.  Ortiz went 3 for 4 with 3 runs, 2 RBI and his first home run of the year.  A towering moon shot to deep centerfield.  He keeps saying his timing is off but I don’t see it.  He’s squaring up a lot of balls and hitting rockets out there.  Daniel Nava walked twice and scored once in place of Shane Victorino who is nursing a bad back.  Mike Carp went 2 for 4 with an RBI double and Jarrod Saltalamacchia added 2 more hits and 2 RBI.  Will Middlebrooks added an RBI double and Dustin Pedroia had an RBI single.  Every Sox starter had a hit except Daniel Nava and Stephen Drew who walked once.

Hitting with 2 outs continues to be a theme for the Red Sox as they had 4 runs with 2 outs.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia had 2 RBI with 2 outs and Mike Carp and Will Middlebrooks both added RBI’s with two down.  If they can continue to do damage with two outs this team will be tough to beat.

Daniel Bard made his return to the Red Sox last night and pitched in the ninth inning, giving up a hit with a strikeout.  He looked good throwing 18 pitches and most importantly 10 for strikes.  I hope he gets back to his original form because if he can it will solidify an already impressive bullpen.

The Sox continue the series tonight as Ryan Dempster takes the mound looking for his first win. He’s pitched well in the early part of the season but has yet to get his first win.  He’ll be opposed by Erik Bedard who pitched with the Sox a few seasons ago.  Bedard is up and down but when he’s on he’s a tough lefty.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Clay Buchholz.  This recent hot streak is something to behold but it’s not necessarily all that surprising.  Clay has posted an ERA of 2.89 since May 27^th of last year.  Over 177 2/3 innings of work and he’s been very consistent.  His injury plagued 2011 and terrible start to 2012 had people thinking he was a lost cause be he’s proving that he’s an elite pitcher.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Stephen Drew.  Drew took a 0 for 3 on the night with a strikeout.  He still is having some problems at the plate and his average is down to .119.  He did walk once but he needs to start dropping in some hits.  The production offensively on the left side of the infield has been terrible with Middlebrooks batting .169.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Big Papi’s first homerun of the season in the Bottom of the third.  It was only a solo shot but put the Sox up 5 to 2 and solidified Big Papi’s return.  He’s been hitting but we all wanted to see him drive a ball out of the ballpark to make sure the Achilles was fully healed.

NEXT

Today, Friday, April 26th vs. the Houston Astros at 7:10.