Buchholz Plays Role Of Stopper, Tossing Complete Game Over Tribe (56-58)

Buchholz threw his 2nd complete
game

Last night was a great game for the Red Sox as they broke out of a three game losing skid with a good, solid win over the Indians. They had a favorable matchup coming in, with Clay Buchholz (9-3, 4.48) up against Chris Seddon (0-0, 7.71) and they executed according to it. Like they did in the previous game, the Indians jumped out to a lead on a first inning home run. This time they waited a batter, though, as #2 hitter Asdrubal Cabrera went deep to center field to give the Indians an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. However, Clay Buchholz settled down and didn't even allow another baserunner for the next few innings. Thus, it was still 1-0 when the Red Sox came up in the top of the fourth. It was an inconspicuous rally starter when Mike Aviles walked with one out, but when Seddon threw away a pickoff throw, allowing Aviles to get to third, it became huge. Dustin Pedroia delivered with an RBI single past the shortstop to knot the game up at 1-1.

Ross hit his 18th home run

At that point, Cabrera led off the inning with a double to the warning track in right. However, as it turned out-- Cabrera's two hits would be the only two allowed in the game by Buchholz and Cabrera didn't come around to score. Scoring is just what the Red Sox did in the top of the sixth inning. They had a man on first and two outs for Cody Ross and Ross did what he does best-- hitting long home runs as he tanked one to center to give the Red Sox a 3-1 lead. However, the Red Sox defense almost immediately put that in jeopardy as a horrible defensive play allowed Jason Donald to go from a groundout to a triple. He scored on an Ezequiel Carrera sacrifice fly but that would be all as the Red Sox won 3-2.

Bright Spots:
Clay Buchholz- 9 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 K, W (10-3)
Mike Aviles- 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB
Dustin Pedroia- 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Cody Ross- 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Ryan Lavarnway- 1-3
Scott Podsednik- 1-3

Dull Spots:
Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4, 1 LOB
Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4, 4 LOB
Will Middlebrooks- 0-3, 2 LOB
Kelly Shoppach- 0-4, 2 K, 2 LOB

Player of the Game:
Clay Buchholz- A complete game is a rare sight for the Red Sox, but they got one last night as Clay Buchholz hurled a two-hitter and is now 10-3, 4.24 this season.