By Maureen Mullen
CSNNE.comFollow @maureenamullen
BOSTONRight-hander Clay Buchholz, on the disabled list since June 17 with a stress fracture in his lower back, threw a simulated inning Tuesday.
He threw 32 pitches while facing Lars Anderson, Jose Iglesias, Joey Gathright and Ryan Lavarnway.
He actually looked pretty good, said manager Terry Francona. Well obviously wait and see how he bounces back, and then see when and where to go with the next step.
Buchholz, who turned 27 in August, has not pitched in a game since June 16 in Tampa Bay. He was pleased with his outing.
It went well, Buchholz said. Threw 25 or so from the bullpen and then 32 out there. My location wasnt what it should be, which is to be expected.
No pain. Everythings fine. Just trying to not compensate for anything and finish on my delivery like I normally would.
Boston Red Sox
Buchholz said he threw all his pitches, but not with maximum intensity.
I didn't cut loose on any fastballs like I do in a game, he said. Its hard to do that throwing to your own hitters. Dont want to hit anybody and hurt anybody else. There wasnt 100 percent effort, but I threw every pitch that I throw in the mix. If I had to put a number on it, it was 85, 90 percent today.
Buchholz has said previously he would like to pitch in the last series of the season, Sept. 2628 in Baltimore. If he does, it would likely be out of the bullpen.
"Thats the teams call if they want me to come back, get some innings in against Baltimore. Got to see how this postseason run is going to be and go from there," said Buchholz. "Pitching in the playoffs is what I want to do. Today was a first step in that direction and everything felt good.
"Ive been throwing pretty much the whole time, playing catch, not necessarily pitching. My arm doesnt feel near as not ready as it does in the offseason going into spring training."
It has been a frustrating season for Buchholz.
Obvious nobody wants to sit out for two-and-a-half, three months, he said. Its been tough just sitting back and watching the guys go out there, even when were going good. Its tough right now but were trying to get to that point where I can come back and try to help this team win. Thats what everybody tries to do.
Jonathan Papelbons blown save snapped a streak of 25 consecutive converted save opportunities, the second-longest in Sox history behind Tom Gordons 43 saves to end the 1998 season. Papelbons scoreless streak ended at 22 innings over 21 games since July 17, matching his longest career streak, from May 4June 26, 2006. It was the longest active scoreless streak in the majors.
Daniel Bards nine losses are the most in a season by a Sox reliever since Derek Lows 10 in 2001, and are second-most on the staff behind John Lackeys 12 (not counting Erik Bedards nine, seven with Seattle).
Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-4 extending his hit streak against the Os to 32 games since April 17, 2009. He now has the longest streak ever against the Os franchise, passing Earl Averill from 1929-31 and Jimmie Foxx, 1935-36 against the St. Louis Brown who relocated and became the Orioles in 1954. Ellsburys fourth-inning single gave him 200 hits this season. With Adrian Gonzalez they became the third set of Sox teammates to reach that mark, with Wade Boggs and Bill Buckner in 1985 and Boggs and Jim Rice in 1986.
The 51 pitches Erik Bedard threw in the third inning tied Casey Coleman and John Danks for most in an inning this season, according to Elias.
The Sox scored a run in the first inning. It broke their streak of allowing opponents to score first in seven straight games, 10 of 11, 11 of 14, and 18 of the last 21 games since Aug. 30 against the Yankees.
The Sox rotation after Tuesday is scheduled to be Josh Beckett Wednesday, with an off-day Thursday, followed by Jon Lester on Friday in New York, Tim Wakefield, and either Bedard or John Lackey on Sunday. Francona said he wanted to see how Bedard comes through his start tonight before making a decision. If Bedard cant start Sunday, Lackey will with Bedard going Monday in Baltimore.
Left fielder Carl Crawford, who missed the last three games because of a stiff neck, was back in the lineup Tuesdays, batting sixth.
Good enough to play, Francona said before the game. Its sore but hes able to move. Yesterday, he couldnt even move. Couldnt turn his head. Thats good news.
Third baseman Kevin Youkilis was out of the lineup again, battling hip bursitis and a hernia.
Hes pretty sore, Francona said. Again, we werent going to do baseball activities for a while anyway. And well continue to do some of the core work and things like that and maybe check him later on this week, but pretty sore.
Asked if Youkilis will be shut down for the regular season, Francona replied:
We dont know. I guess anythings possible. Like I just said, try to let that play itself out and see how he does maybe in a few days.
Its bothering him. The idea is if he could go on the field and be productive, hed do it, but that was becoming more difficult.
Adrian Gonzalezs left calf has been bothering him, but not enough to keep him out of the lineup.
Speed's not a big part of his game, Francona said. Especially with a guy like Gonzie whos on base, hes hitting .330 or something, you have to go first to third and score at some point, so I guess the hope is that he can manage it while still being productive. I hope it gets better. It already did improve a little today, so maybe hes a quick healer.
I dont think it bothers him at plate.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter at http:twitter.commaureenamullen.