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Tampa 2, Boston 1

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ Almost!

All Red Sox rookie pitcher Clay Buchholz could do was stare into the right-field seats as he nearly repeated his no-hit performance from last September with a three-hitter against Tampa Bay Saturday night at Tropicana Field as the Rays narrowly defeated Boston, 2-1, on some late-inning heroics.

The only three hits Tampa was able to register off the talented right-hander was a double by B.J. Upton in the fourth inning, a pinch-hit single by Dioner Navarro and a two-run homer by Akinori Iwamura in the eighth inning.

“He was good,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “He was throwing all of his pitches for strikes. He was changing speeds. He just left one breaking ball over the plate. . . I thought Clay was great. He just gave up a home run when we didn’t need him to.”

Other than those three hits, Buchholz was just as good – if not better – than he was during his history-making performance last year.

“You could see as the game progressed he was coming off the mound with jump,” said Francona. “I don’t mean he was jumping out of his delivery, he was aggressive with arm speed on his change-up. It was fun to watch. You’re not going to throw a two- or three-hitter all the time, but that’s the kind of guy we envision. His stuff was electric.”

It was Sept. 1, 2007 when he recorded a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles in only his second major-league start. He threw 115 pitches that day and struck out nine for the 17th no-no in club history.

Saturday night didn’t have the drama, the edge-of-your-seat excitement, but he was just as good as he was last fall. He threw 113 pitches (76 strikes) but came up a bit short.

“I felt in control,” he said. “I never thought (Iwamura’s) at-bat would go down like that. I thought I had him struck out with a curve ball. He hit a good pitch, man. When I let it go I thought he would take it or swing over the top of it, but he was sitting all over it. Hats off to him because I threw a pitcher’s pitch and he hit it.”

Along with the no-hitter, last fall was bittersweet for Buchholz. The Red Sox shut him down for the remainder of the 2007 season due to arm-strength issues. That made Buchholz a bystander during the magical postseason run to a World Series championship. In fact, management had serious conversations with him about his preparation both on and off the field.

“In my opinion that’s in the past,” said Francona. “He’s done everything I’ve asked. He competes. He doesn’t back down from anybody. He’s exciting. He has good demeanor on the mound and he just wants to win.”

Buchholz was slow going to start the season, but he exploded onto the scene once again yesterday.

“Overall I felt great tonight,” he said. “It was just a little misfortune, I guess.”

Buchholz got two quick outs in the bottom of the first before issuing back-to-back walks. He got out of the jam by striking out the Rays’ Evan Longoria.

Buchholz then retired the next six batters he faced before Upton’s double in the fourth. He reached third on a ground out, but was left stranded.

With the way Buchholz was pitching, the Red Sox didn’t need much offense.

The Sox’ Coco Crisp led off the top of the fifth inning with a single, and reached third with some heads-up baserunning. Tampa starter Edwin Jackson threw a wild pitch and the speedy Crisp took off from first and reached third relatively easy. Crisp was stranded 90 feet from home plate until Jacoby Ellsbury’s two-out infield hit that gave Boston a 1-0 advantage.

Buchholz was extremely efficient in the bottom of the inning and quickly retired the side in order. He did the same in the sixth and again in the seventh. It was clear he was dialed in.

With one out in the eighth inning, and Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon warming in the bullpen, Navarro hit a soft liner to right field. Ellsbury, playing right field, attempted to make the play, but the ball just fell in at his feet.

The Rays weren’t done.

After Jason Bartlett flied out to center field, Iwamura scorched his two-run homer to deep right field to give Tampa a 2-1 lead. He said he was sitting on the curveball.

"Yes," said Iwamura. "I took a previous swing on his change-up and it carried pretty well to center field (in the third inning). I figured Jason Varitek knew I had timed his change-up."

After the game Buchholz admitted he knew the ball was gone as soon as it was hit. For a few seconds after it landed in the seats, Buchholz just stood there, glaring into right field.

“He pitched great,” said Sox’ Kevin Youkilis. “He just made that one mistake and got hurt on it. But, he threw the ball great and had a great outing. This is how baseball works sometimes.”

Buchholz was close to perfection, unfortunately almost only counts in horseshoes.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:14 PM | Permalink

Postgame Notes: Ortiz update

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Red Sox slugger David Ortiz missed Saturday's game with a bruised right knee and will not play on Sunday.

Ortiz attempted to stay out of a double play in the top of the 11th inning against the Rays on Friday as he slammed head first into first base. Manager Terry Francona said the play looked like a car accident.

"When I saw him get up, I knew it," Francona said. "I was hoping he wouldn't feel it (Saturday), but he does. So, we're going to give him a chance to get rid of the swelling."

With one out in the 11th inning, Dustin Pedroia singled before Ortiz pulled the ball to the right side of the infield. Rays first baseman Eric Hinske made the play and got the lead runner at second. Ortiz hustled down the line and dove into the bag to no avail.

"I'm glad he wanted to get to first that bad," said Francona "It was a big run and he wanted to get there and dove. His knee is bruised, so we'll give him a little time."

It's the same knee he had surgery on during the offseason.

Ortiz went 0-for-6 Friday night, snapping a seven-game hitting streak. During that stretch he posted a .370 average with 3 home runs, 2 doubles, 16 RBI and 7 runs scored. Francona said after last night’s game that Ortiz will not play again today.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:11 PM | Permalink

Postgame Notes: Youkilis breaks record

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ Kevin Youkilis made history Saturday night.

The Red Sox first baseman has recorded 1,701 consecutive chances without making an error to pass Stuffy McInnis (1921-22) for the all-time record in that category. Earlier this season Youkilis broke Steve Garvey’s record for consecutive games without an error with 193 and he now has 205 games without a miscue.

Youkilis was quite humble regarding his record due to the fact the Red Sox lost their fourth straight game with a 2-1 defeat to the Rays at Tropicana Field.

“I didn’t even know when I did it,” he said. “I just go out there and play the game; it’s not a big deal to me. Winning ballgames is the biggest part of my concern right now. We need to get this team back on track.”

Even Red Sox manager Terry Francona was concentrating more on the team’s performance Saturday.

“I knew he was approaching it,” Francona said. “I only reason I do know is because (travel secretary) Jack McCormick came running down because MLB wanted the balls. The ball that tied it, Youk flipped into the stands. You’re in a one-run game and not really paying attention to it, but I was aware of it.”

Entering tonight's game Youkilis was nine shy of the mark, but his 10 chances against Tampa gave him the record.

“The whole time this has been happening, I didn’t really know until people have told me,” he said. Garvey’s record “in Oakland, I knew about that one, but that was it. Hopefully that’s it. Are there any more? I’ll just keep throwing the balls into the stands. It’s better if I don’t know.”

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:09 PM | Permalink

Pregame notes: Casey sent to DL

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ The Red Sox have placed Sean Casey on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip-flexor sprain.

Manager Terry Francona and Casey spoke numerous times on Friday night. The manager said Casey didn’t think the injury was that bad, but the medical staff was not convinced of that. He suffered the injury in the top of the second inning when he scored from second base on a base hit by Jacoby Ellsbury.

Casey will be examined when the team returns to Boston on Monday. As a result Brandon Moss has been recalled from Pawtucket.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:56 PM | Permalink

Pregame notes: Ortiz out with a bruised knee

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is out of the lineup tonight with a bruised right knee. J.D. Drew will serve as the club's DH.

Ortiz attempted to stay out of a double play in the top of the 11th inning against the Rays on Friday as he slammed head first into first base. Manager Terry Francona said the play looked like a car accident.

"When I saw him get up, I knew it," Francona said. "I was hoping he wouldn't feel it today, but he does. So, we're going to give him a chance to get rid of the swelling."

With one out in the 11th inning, Dustin Pedroia singled before Ortiz pulled the ball to the right side of the infield. Rays first baseman Eric Hinske made the play and got the lead runner at second. Ortiz hustled down the line and dove into the bag to no avail.

"I'm glad he wanted to get to first that bad," he said. "It was a big run and he wanted to get there and dove. His knee is bruised, so we'll give him a little time."

It's the same knee he had surgery on during the offseason.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:07 PM | Permalink

Tonight's lineups

BOSTON

Ellsbury, rf
Pedroia, 2b
Drew, dh
Ramirez, lf
Youkilis, 1b
Crisp, cf
Varitek, c
Lowrie, 3b
Lugo, ss
Buchholz, sp

TAMPA

Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Hinske, dh
Gross, rf
Riggans, c
Bartlett, ss
Jackson, sp

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:03 PM | Permalink

Moss called up

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Red Sox just began an early BP session here at Tropicana Field and Brandon Moss is in the house.

The Red Sox have not made an official statement, yet, but it appears first baseman Sean Casey could be headed for the DL. He suffered a right hip-flexor sprain during the second inning on Friday and was removed from the game.

As a result the Red Sox have called up Moss.

During his BP session a few minutes ago, Moss put on a hitting display. The left-hander hit the Pepsi sign, which is about 450 feet from home plate. He then hit a ball to dead center field, high above the 404 mark.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 2:26 PM | Permalink

A big night for Cash

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. _ Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has missed the last few games with a serious bout with the flu. In his place backup catcher Kevin Cash has filled in nicely.

Cash went 3-for-3, including a sacrifice fly Friday night, in his normal start as Tim Wakefield’s batterymate. It was his first three-hit game since June 24, 2004 when he played for Toronto. That game was also against the Rays.

Cash also showcased his heads-up baserunning talents.

With the game knotted at 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, Cash provided his third hit of the night to lead off the inning. Sox’ Dustin Pedroia hit grounder to Akinori Iwamura, the Rays’ second baseman, who attempted to tag Cash. But, Cash stopped and began to retreat, which made Iwamura stall and allowed Pedroia to reach on a fielder’s choice. Cash was also safe at second.

That play gave Red Sox slugger David Ortiz to chance for his typical late-inning heroics. He just missed his pitch and flied out to center. He would finish the night 0-for-6. The hot-hitting Manny Ramirez followed, but Warwick native and Tampa reliever Dan Wheeler struck him out.

Boston eventually lost in 11 innings, 5-4, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona didn’t want Cash’s performance to go unnoticed.

“It’s a lot more fun when you win to talk about guys, but I don’t want it to get lost how we feel (about Cash),” said Francona. “This kid has been thrown in to a situation where he’s catching every night, and he hasn’t done that in a while. Rather than coming in and say ‘I’m stiff’ he’s loving every minute of it. He’s doing things to help us win games.”

Wakefield, who was clearly upset when the Sox released his longtime personal catcher Doug Mirabelli during spring training, has had nothing but good things to say about Cash’s performances both defensively and offensively.

“He did a great job,” said Wakefield. “There’s nothing negative to say about the job he’s done since he got the job in spring training. He’s a big asset to this team.”

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:26 AM | Permalink