Buchholz Gives Up Four, Red Sox Win Final Game of Spring
By John Green
In the last game on the Red Sox’ spring schedule they sent out their number 3 starter, Clay Buchholz. Everyone including myself agree that Buchholz will play a key role in the Sox’ success this season, but the righty still has some work to do as evidenced by today’s game.
Buchholz didn’t have a problem early in the game as he retired the first 12 Nationals he faced, including 3 strikeouts. Fatigue seemed to be an issue in the fifth inning though. After allowing singles to Adam LaRoche and Mark DeRosa, Buchholz gave up a 3-run homer to Wilson Ramos. Roger Bernadina grounded out to end the inning but the damage was already done.
Clay Buchholz allowed another run on an Ian Desmond leadoff homer in the sixth but would quickly get the next two outs before being replaced by lefty Justin Thomas.
Thomas had a miserable seventh inning in which he allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk.
Dustin Pedroia led the offense for the Red Sox starting out the games scoring with an RBI double in the fourth inning and adding 2 more runs with another double in the fifth inning. Jacoby Ellsbury also had 2 hits and scored 2 runs in the game, ending the spring with a .276 average.
Jason Repko ended the spring schedule on a high note with an RBI double in the ninth that gave the Red Sox the lead back and gave them an 8-7 win over the Nationals.
The Sox will have Wednesday off before opening the season in Detroit on Thursday. Justin Verlander and Jon Lester figures to be one of the better match-ups of the season. It’s a 1:05 pm start and we’ll be here at BoSox Injection with all the coverage you need.
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