Buchholz Tosses Gem, Takes Loss

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ April 27, 2008 at 2:52pm ⋅ Post a comment

Clay Buchholz stymied the Rays over the first seven innings, but his first mistake of the game in the eighth cost the Red Sox in a 2-1 loss Saturday night. He allowed a two-out, two-run HR in the eighth inning to Akinori Iwamura to give the Rays the victory.

Sox Studs:

Clay Buchholz truly tossed a gem. He saved a really tired bullpen, going all eight innings for the Sox, and allowing only two runs on three hits and two walks, to go along with nine strikeouts. He was dominant and it’s a shame the Sox couldn’t score more than one run.
Jacoby Ellsbury was the only productive offensive player for the Red Sox, as it seemed no one could really handle Edwin Jackson (yeah I just said that..). Ellsbury finished with the only RBI for the Sox after a 2-4 effort.

Diamond Duds:

The 2-3-4-5 hitters went a combined 1-14. That’s very bad…if your big-time hitters can’t get on, the 6-9 hitters won’t be batting many runs in. I’ll give J.D. Drew credit, at least he went 1-3. Dustin Pedroia, Manny Ramirez, and Kevin Youkilis all went hitless.
David Ortiz didn’t play due to a knee bruise. He’s out for Sunday’s game too after sliding head-first into first base during Friday night’s extra-inning loss.

What were you thinking, Francona?

I know Buchholz was dominating, but why leave him in to pitch all eight innings? Hideki Okajima should’ve been in to hold the Rays in the eighth, with Jonathan Papelbon to come in for the ninth. Buchholz ended with a total of 113 pitches which isn’t much considering, but I would’ve had Okajima warming before the inning. When Buchholz allowed Dioner Navarro to reach, I would’ve pulled him. Hindsight is 20-20.

Other Notes:

Iwamura’s HR was his first since last September.
Former Sox utility man Eric Hinske went 0-3 as the DH, but is still batting a surprising .292.
Sean Casey was put on the disabled list with a hip injury. Brandon Moss was called up in his place.