GAME 156 – 9/21/2013 – at Home vs. the Toronto Blue Jays

RESULT – LOSS 4-2

Clay Buchholz took another step in toward full recovery on Saturday night as he pitched 106 pitches in his return from a bursa sac injury that kept him out 3 months.  Though the Red Sox dropped a 4-2 decision to the Jays Saturday afternoon, Buchholz’s progress trumped the outcome.

In his 3^rd start since his return, Buchholz went 6 strong innings, giving up 3 runs (only 2 were earned) on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2.  Even though he gave up 3 runs, he pitched better than that.  Through the first 3 innings, Buchholz was brilliant and was perfect and he looked like he turned the clock back to his brilliant April.  Then some defensive miscues and spotty command cost him a few runs in the 4^th.

While the Red Sox have been impressed with Buchholz’s power and pitch sharpness, his command has been spotty and continues to be a work in progress.  John Farrell says he hopes that Buchholz can work that out in his next start in Baltimore.

In 17 innings since his return from the DL, Clay has allowed just 11 hits while striking out 11, walking 7 and posting a 1.06 ERA.

Drake Britton and Ryan Dempster both pitched scoreless innings out of the pen.  Britton allowed 1 hit and struck out a batter while Dempster walked a batter, let up a hit and struck out 1 as well.  Matt Thornton went 2/3 of an inning giving up 1 run on 1 hit while walking 2.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I have absolutely no faith in Thornton and I hope he is left off of the playoff roster.  Rubby De La Rosa got the final out for the Sox.

On the offensive side, the Red Sox had a thin lineup going and they couldn’t get much going against crafty veteran lefty Mark Buehrle who has done very well against them this year.  He has a 3.31 ERA in 5 starts against them this season.

They could muster only 2 runs on 5 hits on the night.  They were 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position and left 4 men on base.  Stephen Drew, who was batting leadoff, went 2 for 4 with a run scored.  Shane Victorino went 1 for 2 and was hit by a pitch for the 18^th time this season.  Jonny Gomes went 1 for 4 with an RBI and David Ross went 1 for 3 with an RBI.  For the first time in a long time, the Red Sox didn’t walk at all in the ball game.  Amazing, for a team this patient.

Maybe it was the hangover from their first AL East crown since 2007 but there is still home field advantage at stake.  They own a 1 and ½ game lead over the Oakland Athletics and need to play better baseball going forward.

They’ll be back at it again on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match as the Sox send Felix Doubront to the mound to face R.A. Dickey.  Let’s hope they can get yet another series win.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Stephen Drew.  Drew, batting leadoff, had 2 hits and a run scored in the dismal offense that was displayed Saturday evening.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Will Middlebrooks.  He went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts on the night.

PLAY OF THE GAME

In the bottom of the 6^th, the Red Sox had a really good chance at getting back into the game.  With only 1 out and a run already in, Daniel Nava came to the plate with runners on 1^st and 3^rd.  A single would pull them within 1.  Nava grounded into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

NEXT

Sunday, September 22nd, at home against the Toronto Blue Jays.