Buchholz Improves To 7-0 As Sox Avoid Sweep

For the first seven innings, the Red Sox eventual 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox was a pitchers’ dual. The Red Sox scored two off White Sox lefty Hector Santiago in the first. Santiago would then follow up with five scoreless innings before exiting after the sixth. Clay Buchholz would counter Santiago with seven innings (one run, five hits, three walks, four strikeouts).

May 17, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox would pad the lead with back to back two run innings in the eighth and ninth. The two runs in the eighth came via a sacrifice fly by Will Middlebrooks and a passed ball by Tyler Flowers would allow Mike Napoli to score. Daniel Nava would hit a two run single in the ninth, further boosting his average with runners in scoring position.

The ChiSox would add a run in the ninth with a solo homer by Paul Konerko off Andrew Bailey. Bailey would answer back with a three pitch strikeout to Dayan “Not a Girl’s Name” Viciedo.

With the win, the Red Sox finish the road trip with a 6-3 record and are 10-11 in the month of May.

Next up is a four game series at Fenway against the Cleveland Indians. Ryan Dempster will oppose Zach McAllister in Terry Francona‘s first post-Red Sox visit as an opposing manager.