Clay Buchholz Shaky Again But Red Sox Take a Game From O's

 MAY 21:  (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Clay Buchholz has made 9 starts so far in 2012. In those starts, 7 times the righty has allowed atleast 5 ER and twice he has allowed at least 3 homeruns. Last night in Baltimore, he only allowed one bomb but it was the 11th of the season and he once again gave up 5 ER.

It took just 20 pitches to get through the first two innings, but in the third Buchholz came unraveled, allowing 3 free passes, 3 hits and 4 runs.

In those first two innings, Buchholz had good command and was utilizing perhaps his best changeup of the season, but in the third he couldn't find the strike zone. He was able to settle down a bit and get through 5 1/3 but the Red Sox have to be concerned with his performance to this point in the season.

Dustin Pedroia picked up a single, double and 2 RBI in the game. The Sox second baseman is quietly having one of his best all around seasons, and it's not even mid summer yet, when he gets hot.

MAY 21: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Adrian Gonzalez (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

David Ortiz hit a long homer off Tommy Hunter in the sixth inning to give him his 10th bomb of the season. Will Middlebrooks had 3 hits in the game with an RBI.

Andrew Miller once again came on in a big spot, with 2 on and 1 out in the sixth. The tall lefty got Wilson Betemit to ground out and Nick Johnson to fly out. He pitched a perfect seventh as well with 2 K's, giving him 8 shutout innings since returning from the DL.

Rich Hill allowed 3 H and an ER in just 1/3 IP before making way to Vicente Padilla, who bridged the gap to closer Alfredo Aceves.

Aceves pitched a perfect ninth, picking up his 10th save in 12 opportunities, after blowing a pair early in the season. The Red Sox came away with a .500 record for the first time since they were 11-11 and they're now 5.5 games behind the O's and looking to close the gap tonight with Felix Doubront on the hill, looking for his fifth win of the season.




  
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