New bump for pitcher Buchholz

August 11, 2008|Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff

CHICAGO - When he walked off the field after the third inning yesterday, Clay Buchholz's stride was slow and deliberate. Nearing the dugout, he removed his Red Sox cap and wiped his forehead with his arm. It had been a long day so far, a long four-run inning, yet another bit of failure as Buchholz works feverishly to correct the problems that have led to a very long season.

Nothing seems to go right for Buchholz these days, despite the tempered optimism he expressed after the game - even as his manager was being asked just how long this can continue. With Buchholz sinking to 0-6 with an 8.19 ERA in his last seven starts with a 6-5 loss to the White Sox yesterday at U.S. Cellular Field, the Red Sox trailing Tampa Bay for the division lead, and their wild-card lead narrowing, it seems the pitcher's place in the rotation might be a bit shaky.

"We haven't talked about it," skipper Terry Francona said. "I mean, we have not talked about that. That's about as honest as I can be. I think more of our energy and thoughts [are] going into how do we get this kid pitching like we know he can on a consistent basis."

Not long after the pregame news that Tim Wakefield was scratched from his start tomorrow and will be put on the disabled list, the Red Sox started off yesterday's game about as well as they could have hoped. Before Buchholz even took the mound, he was provided a lead for the second straight start. This one was three runs, courtesy of Mike Lowell's three-run homer just beyond the outstretched glove of Carlos Quentin in left field, Lowell's first home run in 27 games.

But that lead didn't last long, and neither did Buchholz. There was the Jermaine Dye solo home run (off a two-seamer) in the second, then two two-run homers in the third, one by Quentin (two-seamer) and one by Jim Thome (curveball), giving Chicago a 5-3 lead. Buchholz, who has allowed eight homers in his last five games, departed after facing two batters in the fourth. He gave up seven hits and five earned runs, walking two and striking out four.

"He's not being as efficient as he wants to," Lowell said. "I think his pace of game has to improve. I don't know if he's thinking too much. I'd kind of prefer him to just go up there and fire, because he's got good stuff. I don't know what it is. You root for him, you feel bad. Especially when you spot him a three-run lead before he takes the mound, you kind of want him to hold the fort down.

"It sounds so simple, but it's not that easy."