BOSTONClay Buchholz was nearly an afterthought in the wake of the Red Sox 17-inning, 9-6 loss to the Orioles Sunday afternoon.
Buchholz had been out of the game for several hours by the time the marathon contest, which lasted 6 hours, 7 minutes, ended. His performance, thoughlike most of his six starts this seasonwas regrettable, if not forgettable.
Buchholz lasted just 3 23 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts. He gave up three home runs, including two solo shots by J.J. Hardy in the first and third innings, and a three-run home run by Robert Andino with two outs in the fourth. Buchholz threw 81 pitches, 46 for strikes. While his record stays at 3-1, his already-robust ERA jumped from 8.69 to 9.09.
Buchholz has yet to throw a quality start this season. He has allowed at least five earned runs in each of his six starts, becoming the first Sox pitcher to achieve that dubious feat since Red Ruffing did so in eight consecutive starts from June 27July 28, 1925.
He is averaging just over 5 13 innings per start. Meaning the bullpen has to pick up much of his slack. In Sundays loss, manager Bobby Valentine had to use every reliever plus Darnell McDonald to cover the final 13 13 innings. While that may be an aberration because of the marathon game, Buchholz, nevertheless, is putting a strain on the bullpen.
This begs the questions: What is wrong with Buchholz and what can be done?
His stuff is fine, but his command and control are inconsistent. Hes making too many mistakes up and in the middle of the plate. He also seems to be relying on his cutter a little too much, said one scout in attendance.
Boston Red Sox
Clays performance was not what he wanted it to be, for sure. Not what I wanted it to be Valentine said. Left a lot of pitches in real hittable zone. Gave up a lot of hard hit balls.
There were a lot of pitchers used today. He was one of them and I got to figure out what to do, how to get by with all these relievers who really did a yeomans job today. I have no plans to change them at this time.
Buchholz, who missed most of last season with a stress fracture in his lower back, insists his problems are not related to his health.
No, I feel good, he said. If I knew the reason I was giving up runs, Id probably fix it. Got to figure it out.
Ive got to find something, work on things in the bullpen, keep working, and I think once a good five, six innings comes out, then itll be something to build off. The past few starts its just been the big inning. Cant minimize the damage right now.
Got to watch video and see what Im doing wrong. If theres anything Im doing wrong, I can fix.
Which is not to say hes not frustrated by his performances.
Ill go out there, give up a home run, get the ball back and keep pitching, he said. Thats all you can do. You cant get to a point where youre too frustrated not being able to think about what you have to do and what you need to do so.
Ive been upset with myself for the past six weeks. Its just frustrating to go out there and make some good pitches and still get hit. Its not easy. I have to keep telling myself its not that easy. It looks easy for some guys but sometimes you have to go through some struggles to get where you want to be. I think thats where Im at right now. Just got to find a way through it.