Red Sox Notes: How Walker Buehler’s Patriots’ Day Preparation Paid Off

BOSTON — Red Sox newcomer Walker Buehler hadn’t taken the mound for a morning start since he was in Double-A Tulsa eight years ago.

“We had a SpongeBob SquarePants Day,” Buehler recalled.

So Buehler, a product of a strict routine, started his preparations Sunday night. He stayed at a hotel across the street from Fenway Park, figuring it would help his Marathon Monday commute. He did his pregame study in the hotel room with his wife and kids close by. From there, Buehler arrived at the ballpark around 7:15 a.m. ET, about an hour before Red Sox manager Alex Cora and four hours before first pitch.

Safe to say Buehler, who led the Red Sox to a 4-2 series-clinching win, will book the same room next year.

The veteran right-hander allowed one run on four hits over seven innings. It marked his longest start since May 8, 2022 (Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs). He also recorded a season-best nine strikeouts and threw 63% of his pitches (63 of 100) for strikes.

“Obviously an important day for the city, and one that we need to win and are supposed to win on this day, in this place,” Buehler said. “So, good day to have a good one.”

Buehler retired the side in order in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings. He bounced back after he allowed one run on two hits in the opening frame.

“He was in command,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

Following Buehler’s outing, Red Sox starters have allowed two runs or fewer in each of the last six games.

Here are more notes from Red Sox-White Sox:

— Buehler wasn’t the only one to make the most of his Patriots’ Day debut.

Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell (2-for-3, two RBIs, walk) delivered the big hit, a two-run single in the third inning. Campbell fended off a two-out, two-strike pitch from right-hander Jonathan Cannon and slapped it into right field to score Alex Bregman (two-out walk) and Trevor Story (RBI single).

“He had a really good series against them,” Cora said of Campbell, who went 7-for-13 with four walks in the series against the White Sox. “The last two days he’s been impressive.”

— The Red Sox improved to 72-56 on Patriots’ Day, snapping a three-game losing streak on Marathon Monday.

“It was electric,” Campbell said of the 34,721 fans in attendance. “The city, the fans, the people. Everybody was super excited the whole game. It was a great experience overall. To top it off with a win in the series is great.”

— Aroldis Chapman relieved Buehler in the eighth inning, with Justin Slaten earning the ninth-inning save. Does Cora feel like the Red Sox have two capable closers?

“We have more than that,” Cora responded.

— Cora joked Rob Refsnyder was inserted into the lineup because the veteran outfielder is used to waking up early with his kids. Well, it proved to be a wise decision after Refsynder’s solo home run got the Red Sox on the board in the second inning.

— Brayan Bello will make his first start of the season Tuesday.

“His velocity is up, which is very important for us,” Cora said. “The action on his pitches is good, and we know what he can do. … I’m excited about him.”

— Former Red Sox slugger Bobby Dalbec was elevated to Chicago’s roster Monday. He stepped in to pinch-hit during the eighth inning and struck out on three pitches from Aroldis Chapman.

— The Red Sox return to the diamond Tuesday night and open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET.