Red Sox-Blue Jays: Buchholz Rescues Bullpen in 2-1 Win

Caption: Pinch-hitter Mike Lowell heads to first base after drawing a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning…the Red Sox scored the game-winning run on the play en route to a 2-1 win in Toronto.

The Red Sox bullpen is so tattered that the front office started the day by promoting starting pitcher Fabio Castro from Pawtucket. In the wake of ineffective performances by LHP Hideki Okajima and RHP Ramon Ramirez, the club needed another lefty arm in the bullpen—even if just for one evening.

Just how desperate are the Red Sox? Castro was scheduled to be the starter in last night’s PawSox game against the Indianapolis Indians and he was sporting an 8.10 ERA in International League play.

Now THAT is desperate!

But all of those preparations were for naught. RHP Clay Buchholz put on his red cape and came to the rescue at The Rogers Centre in Toronto.

The young right-hander was nothing short of spectacular in his eight-inning effort…he allowed a run in the first inning and then shut down the Blue Jays offense before manager Terry Francona turned the game over to (gulp!) Ramirez in the ninth. He allowed only seven hits, walked two and struck out four in the ballgame. Ramirez pitched a perfect ninth to record just his second career save.

In his pregame media briefing, Francona ticked off the names of his unavailable relievers—Papelbon, Bard, and Okajima would all ride the pine. There was little wiggle room. Castro had made the trip from Pawtucket—just in case.

Buchholz saved the day with his 117-pitch outing. Francona said: “That was a gutsy performance. I think he threw 80 strikes tonight. The way their guy was throwing, there’s no room for error.’’

“Their guy” was righty Shawn Marcum, who allowed the Red Sox just one run on four hits over seven innings. He matched Buchholz pitch-for-pitch before giving way to lefty Scott Downs…the Red Sox scored the game-winning run off the southpaw in the eighth inning.

One night after Josh Beckett was blasted by the Blue Jays batters, Buchholz kept them in check. He allowed a single and run-scoring double (Vernon Wells) in their first at-bat, but then retired nine in a row. He allowed back-to-back, two-out singles in both the fourth and fifth innings, but Buchholz was able to escape without surrendering a run.

Otherwise, the Blue Jays threatened to score only once, thanks to an error by 3B Adrian Beltre in the eighth inning. In that frame, with the tying run at second base and one out, he froze 1B Lyle Overbay with a fastball on the inside corner for the strikeout. Under those circumstances, it was an impressive at-bat.

This was the type of late-inning jam that has often been Buchholz’ undoing. Man on base…in scoring position…a distraction that causes a lack of concentration. But not on this night! And what is most impressive is that Overbay had the highest batting average against Buchholz of any hitter who has faced him at least 10 times (.429, 6-for-14).

And Buchholz knew the score…afterwards he said: “Overbay…that guy hits me better than anybody that I’ve ever faced.’’

With the biggest obstacle overcome, Buccholz then retired SS Alex Gonzalez on a fly ball to get out of the inning.

Buchholz added: “There’s a thin line in between being really good and really bad. You’ve got to keep it all in perspective…It’s a game of inches. If I make one bad pitch, they get a hit and the game’s tied and I’m coming out of the game without a chance to win. I made a couple of good pitches in a couple of key situations. That’s just how the chips fell.’’

After Toronto scored in the first inning, the Sox responded in the top of the second. Marcum struck out Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz to get things started, but then issued a walk to David Ortiz. You know what they say about those pesky walks, don't you? Beltre and LF Jeremy Hermida (RBI) followed the free pass with back-to-back singles to tie the game.

The starting pitchers then hung a series of zeroes on the scoreboard.

In the eighth inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. Francona sent Mike Lowell to the plate to pinch-hit for David Ortiz against the lefty Downs. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston responded in kind by inserting closer Kevin Gregg into the game. He walked Lowell on four pitches.

Those pesky walks…

The Red Sox are expected to demote Fabio Castro this morning and recall Alan Embree.