Valentine: Buchholz was ‘very much improved'

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MINNEAPOLIS -- It wasn't artistic by any stretch and it won't wow anyone taking a look at the pitching line.
But Clay Buchholz got his second win of the season Wednesday night and said he felt the start represented a step forward for him.
Buchholz pitched 5 13 inning and allowed 10 hits and three walks while being charged for five runs in the Sox' 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins.
"I felt like I threw some good pitches,'' said Buchholz. "I executed pitches better today than I have all season. Going into the sixth inning, I can deal with (giving up just one). We came out on top, but from an individual standpoint, I've got to do better.''
Things unraveled in a hurry for Buchholz in the sixth after he struck out Sean Burroughs to lead off the inning.
Two singles, a double by Denard Span and a walk to Jamey Carroll saw the Twins pull to within four runs as the Boston bullpen was asked to bail out Buchholz.
Buchholz liked the improvement he showed keeping the ball down in the strike zone, which has been a failure of his in the first three starts. He also used his changeup more effectively than he had prior to Wednesday night.
"It's a pitch that I've been able to go to at will (in past seasons),'' said Buchholz of the change. "Today was a step forward for that. I felt really good in the delivery with the changeup.''
Bobby Valentine said Buchholz was "very much improved. He scattered singles around the ballpark and kept the ball down much better. He just ran out of gas (in the sixth).''
Still, there's plenty of room for additional improvement.
Buchholz still sports an 8.87 ERA after four outings and has allowed at least five earned runs or more in each of those outings.
What's more, he's allowing far too many baserunners. On Wednesday, he allowed 13 hitters to reach over 5 13 innings and had just one 1-2-3 inning.
"It's been like that all year,'' lamented Buchholz. "I've had two clean innings all season. It's a struggle when you're out there throwing pitches and guys are putting them in play. It's the way it goes. It can't stay like that all year.
"I've got to be positive about it and take the good things out of it.''
Starting with the victory.
"We'll take that Clay Buchholz and take our chances with that,'' concluded Valentine.

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