It could have been worse, but it also could have been a lot better.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz made his first rehab start in Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, and it didn’t exactly go as planned. Buchholz gave up three runs on four hits — including two solo home runs — over 4 2/3 innings.
The Charlotte Knights got a triple and an RBI groundout off Buchholz in the first, and the two solo shots came in the fourth and fifth innings.
It was Buchholz’s first start since hyperextending his knee on May 26.
Sox outfielder Shane Victorino and third baseman Will Middlebrooks — who made their first rehab starts also — didn’t give their best performances at the plate either. Victorino went 0-for-2, while Middlebrooks went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
