The ace that Boston Red Sox fans have so desperately coveted has finally returned.
Winning his fourth straight start and becoming the first Boston pitcher to throw a complete game at Fenway Park on Independence Day since 1978, Clay Buchholz (W, 7-6) silenced the A.L. West-leading Houston Astros, striking out eight and allowing just a single run on six hits to lead the Red Sox to a 6-1 win.
The Texas native received ample run support as well with center fielder Mookie Betts driving in three runs in his 2-for-3 outing and shortstop Xander Bogaerts accounting for two RBIs while going 2 for 4. Boston touched Astros started Colin McHugh (L, 9-4) for four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings, fanned on strikes on just one occasion.
The Red Sox instantly placed Houston in an insurmountable hole, scoring before McHugh could even record a single out. Betts walked to start the game, and, after a single by second baseman Brock Holt, came around to score on an RBI opposite-field hit by Bogaerts. Boston extended this advantage to 2-0 in the second inning, as right fielder Shane Victorino, playing in his first game with the Big League ballclub since May 23, knocked a one-out single and was plated by Betts on a sacrifice fly two batters later.
Buchholz was masterful in quelling Houston's volatile offense throughout the first five innings, retiring 15 of the initial 16 batters he faced. Meanwhile, the offense continued to supply additional support, tagging McHugh for runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.
In the fifth, poor defense surrendered a run, as Holt led off the inning by reaching second on a throwing error by catcher Hank Conger and scored on a subsequent RBI double by Bogaerts to increase the Boston lead to 3-0. In the ensuing inning, the Red Sox concluded McHugh's subpar performance on the mound, as catcher Sandy León (3 for 4, two runs on the afternoon) knocked a one-out single to right and instantaneously scored on Betts' double to left, creating a four-run disadvantage for Houston.
The damage would not cease, however, as Boston placed the nail in the coffin in the bottom of the eight inning while facing Astros reliever Roberto Hernandez. Victorino and León led off the inning with consecutive singles, with the former scoring on yet another double by Betts. Hernandez then retired both Holt and Bogaerts before intentionally walking designated hitter David Ortiz, a decision which eventually backfired as pinch-hitter Alejandro De Aza scored León on an infield single, pushing the lead to 6-0.
Houston was able to salvage a run to prevent Buchholz from achieving a shutout in the ninth inning as third baseman Luis Valbuena singled home second baseman Jose Altuve with two outs; however, the contest provides Boston with a boatload of momentum heading into tomorrow's rubber match.