The O’s had beaten the Sox at Fenway seven games straight and if the Sox were to stop that trend, it would be on Clay Buchholz to get it done. Buchholz has pitched 3 complete games in his MLB history and all of them have been against the O’s. Tonight, he continued that trend. In the last 3 outings, Clay seems to have made a complete turn around and is looking like that ace in the making once again. Phew. We needed it.
Buchholz just looked spectacular. Clay gave up only 4 hits on the night and two of those hits were immediately erased with a double play. Clay never let a runner get beyond 2nd base. He was at 111 pitches when he finished the 8th inning and many believed he was probably done for the night. As the O’s players came off the field at the end of the 8th, Clay was the first one out of the dugout. Andrew Miller was warming up behind Buchholz, however Buch would not need him. Clay gave up a walk in the 9th, however he retired the other 3 batters to get the complete game win. It was a beauty to watch. Clay’s line for the night was 125 pitches, 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 Ks.
The offense also gave Clay a lot of breathing room. In the 1st inning, Gonzo hit an RBI double to score Pedey and Youk. Sox 2-0. In the 2nd, the Sox got more runs with the bases loaded and no outs. Pedey hit into a force out and when the O’s tried to get the double play they threw the ball away. Sox 4-0. In the 3rd, Nava hit an RBI single to score Gonzo and DMac. Sox 6-0. The Sox got their final run in the 8th when Youk hit an RBI double to score Nava. Sox 7-0. It’s a lot easier for Buchholz to pitch the way he did when the offense gives you that much run support.
Adrian Gonzalez didn’t hit a HR, but he did hit his league leading 21st double of the season. Gonzo went 3 for 4 for the night with 2 RBIs. Daniel Nava had another great night at the plate (and in the field with some great plays in left). Nava was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 RBIs himself. Youk was also 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. DMac went 2 for 3 with a walk as well. It seemed like everyone was getting involve…well, except for Papi who went 0 for 4 with a walk. However, Papi’s carried the team enough so it’s alright that the rest carry him for a game.
Photo Credit: Winslow Townson/Getty Images
Great win and once again the Sox are above 500!
Red Sox 7 Orioles 0 BOXSCORE
WP: Buchholz (6-2) LP: Matusz (5-6)
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