Just a few weeks ago, banter existed over whether Clay Buchholz could regain any showing of the ace he once was for the Boston Red Sox.
The Texas native's performances in his last few starts may signal the end to those debates.
Buchholz followed up a dominant showing against Baltimore last Wednesday with yet another gem tonight, leading Boston to a convincing 3-1 win over their divisional rival the Toronto Blue Jays. Buchholz allowed just a single run on five hits in eight innings of exceptional work. He fanned five Blue Jays batters in the contest, improving his record to an even 6-6 on the season while upping his ERA to a 2.13 mark over his last nine starts.
Meanwhile, the Boston bats capitalized on their opportunities as well. Despite pitching a quality start, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (3-8) succumbed to a Red Sox attack which provided Buchholz with valuable run support, assistance he has lacked throughout the season. Boston touched Dickey for three runs on six hits over six innings, walking three times and striking out on three occasions as well.
Boston got on the board first in the top of the third inning as right fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. worked a leadoff walk and was immediately advanced to second on an opposite field single by the surging Betts. Second baseman Brock Holt then walked to load the bases, and shortstop Xander Bogaerts scored both Bradley Jr. and Betts with a subsequent two-run double over the head of right fielder Jose Bautista.
Despite having two baserunners in scoring position with none retired, the Red Sox were unable to extend their 2-0 advantage in the inning. However, as Dickey forced three consecutive pop-outs by designated hitter David Ortiz, third baseman Pablo Sandoval, and first baseman Mike Napoli to limit the damage.
Luckily for Boston, Buchholz was able to silence the Toronto bats, creating the opportunity for the top of the Red Sox order to further the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Betts lead off the stanza with a triple to deep center, and Holt instantly singled him home to provide Boston with an insurmountable 3-0 advantage.
The Blue Jays were able to conclude Buchholz's shutout bid in the sixth inning. However, second baseman Devon Travis began the sequence with a leadoff infield single, and advanced to second on the ensuing force out by left fielder Ryan Goins. Buchholz was able to force shortstop Jose Reyes into a flyout to place two outs on the board, however third baseman Josh Donaldson stroked a clutch double on the subsequent at-bat, decreasing the Toronto deficit to a manageable 3-1.
Unfortunately for the Canadian faithful, the Blue Jays were unable to strike a comeback putting just a single runner on base over the final three innings. Buchholz retired pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro to end the eighth inning, concluding his performance from the mound. Boston closer Koji Uehara retired the first three batters of the Toronto order in succession in the bottom of the ninth for his 17th save of the season.
Tomorrow, Boston searches for its third win in a row, placing rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (3-2, 4.33 ERA) on the mound to face the Blue Jays' Marco Estrada (5-3, 3.45 ERA).