Clay Buchholz is making the most of his latest stint in the Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation.
The right-handed pitcher delivered another solid outing Tuesday night, limiting the Tampa Bay Rays to just one run to mask Boston’s poor offensive effort in a 2-1 win at Tropicana Field.
Buchholz’s impressive performance helped the Red Sox earn their 10th win in 12 games, pushing their record to 71-54 and allowing them to maintain a tie with the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East.
Here’s how this one went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Enough.
The Red Sox certainly didn’t give Buchholz any extra cushion, but two runs and five hits ultimately sufficed against a Rays team that just couldn’t put runs on the board.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Mookie Betts hosed Kevin Kiermaier at third base.
The Rays center fielder tried to stretch a double to a triple in the eighth inning with his team down by one, but Betts made an incredible throw to nab Kiermaier at third base and squash any potential rally.
ON THE BUMP
— Buchholz stepped up for the Red Sox in arguably his best outing of the season.
The right-hander lasted 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on five hits while striking out a season-high nine batters. Buchholz allowed the leadoff man to reach in five of the six innings he started, but he responded well in every frame but the fifth, when Corey Dickerson touched him for a two-out, RBI double.
Buchholz exited with one out in the seventh after recording his ninth strikeout. He walked just two batters, picking up his first win as a starter since May 9.
— Robbie Ross Jr. closed the book on the seventh inning by getting a strikeout and inducing a ground out.
— Brad Ziegler gave up a double in the eighth inning, but Betts’ defense helped him emerge unscathed. Ziegler also picked up a strikeout.
— Craig Kimbrel allowed the tying run to reach in the ninth when he hit Logan Morrison with a pitch, but the Red Sox closer struck out two to pick up his 23rd save of the season.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— David Ortiz was the catalyst of a two-run third inning that proved to be the difference in this one.
The Red Sox designated hitter delivered a two-out, RBI single that plated Andrew Benintendi, then scored all the way from first base on a Betts base hit thanks to a throwing error by Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr.
— Benintendi followed up Monday’s amazing defensive play with a strong offensive showing Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
— Boston couldn’t get anything going offensively outside of Ortiz and Benintendi.
The Red Sox’s No. 5 through No. 8 hitters went a combined 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts, while Betts and Dustin Pedroia (both 1-for-4) were the only other players to record hits.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
We’ve all been there, Chris.
UP NEXT
Rick Porcello gets the call Wednesday night for the third installment of this four-game series at the Trop. The Rays will pitch a right-hander in Matt Andriese. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
