Clay Buchholz and the Boston Red Sox are grasping for reasons to explain the right-handed pitcher’s struggles. Whether the source of his frustration is arm soreness, a tweaked knee or overbearing heat, Buchholz hasn’t lost the confidence of Dustin Pedroia.
In a radio interview Tuesday, Pedroia said he believes Buchholz will figure out how to work out his issues and contribute to the Red Sox — who need him to rediscover his old form like never before.
“It’s like any of our guys,” Pedroia said on Middays with MFB on WEEI. “I think Clay needs to know that if we’re going to go where you want to go, he’s going to be a big part of it. This guy’s got electric stuff. Everybody’s confidence gets down at times. My confidence gets down at times, where the game speeds up on you. …
“I would just tell him, they are going to go your way. You just keep working, keep grinding. You’ve got a lot more starts, a long way to go. But if we’re going to get back in this thing and do what we want to do, he’s got to be a big part of it.”
Buchholz is 2-4 with a 7.02 ERA after Monday’s no-decision against the Atlanta Braves. The Red Sox (21-29) are in last place in the AL East, having lost 10 of their last 11 games.
