The Red Sox were just coming off losing a doubleheader against the Rays, so they really needed a strong start from Clay Buchholz and a win. Clay pitched his best start this season and with Dustin Pedroia hitting a grand slam to put the game away, the Sox got the win they needed.
Clay Buchholz has struggled all season and just not looked right, but last night he looked much more like the pitcher that we knew in the past. Buch got spotted a 2 run lead in the 2nd when AJ Pierzynski hit an RBI single and then Jackie Bradley Jr hit an RBI double. Sox 2-0. The A’s were able to get a run back in the 3rd when Jaso scored on a passed ball by AJ Pierzynski. Sox 2-1. Given how Clay has struggled this season the one run didn’t feel like it would be enough, but Buchholz kept pitching scoreless after scoreless inning. In the 6th inning, Clay and the Sox got a lot more breathing room when Dustin Pedroia came to the plate with the bases loaded and sent the ball to the Monster for a grand slam. The A’s asked for it to be reviewed, but it was still called a homerun and the Sox were leading 6-1.
Buchholz took the mound in the 7th inning and after getting an out and issuing a walk he was done for the night. Clay’s pitching line for the night was 110 pitches, 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB and 5 Ks. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all. Andrew Miller was in the game and struck out both A’s batter to end the inning. Edward Mujica took the mound in the 8th inning and while no runs scored, he still doesn’t look quite right. Mujica gave up two singles, then Moss smoked a ball, but Mike Napoli was able to brilliantly snag it for an out and then Cespedes hit a ball that went right into the corner in centerfield, but Jackie Bradley Jr. made a great catch and then a relay throw into 1st place to double off Donaldson. Mujica looked all kinds of hittable, but the inning was over. The Sox added one more run to the board in the 8th when Napoli hit an RBI single to score Pedey. Sox 7-1. Former A’s Craig Breslow took the mound for the 9th and pitched a scoreless inning to bring the Sox a much needed win.
Red Sox 7 Athletics 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Buchholz (2-2) LP: Straily (1-2)
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