Buchholz Continues His Strong Spring In Sox Loss To Bucs

Clay Buchholz is one of the few returning Red Sox players who is actually trying to build off of 2012 rather than forget it. In today’s 5-3 loss to the Pirates, Buchholz would pitch five and a third innings allowing only one run on four hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts.

Mar 7, 2013; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) throws during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Junichi Tazawa would have an interesting line on the day. In two innings he gave up two runs despite not allowing a single hit.

The bats were rather quiet today. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Will Middlebrooks would each record three total bases on the day.

The best performance was undoubtedly the one given by Buchholz. He is being counted on to be the number two starter on this staff. In order to do that he’ll have to avoid the DL, keep the ERA and WHIP down, and finally eclipse the 200 inning plateau for the first time in his career. If he carries this current momentum into the regular season, I like those chances.

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