It's called karma.
Clay Buchholz started the year picking up victories where he really had no business winning, going 4-1 over his first seven starts despite a 8.31 ERA.
Over the last couple of months, though, karma has been paying him back. Buchholz has been fantastic for the Red Sox, but the wins have been harder to come by.
On Thursday night, Buchholz pitched his latest gem — a seven-inning, four-hit outing against Tampa Bay where nary a run crossed the plate. The Red Sox' offense failed to back him up, though, and the Rays won 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth.
Still, Buchholz has been the Sox' best pitcher in the second half, and his last two starts — 14 innings pitched, eight hits, one earned run — continue to keep expectations high for the team when he takes the mound. That's enough to earn him Amica Pitcher of the Week honors.