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Buchholz demoted to Portland

Email|Link|Comments (7) Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff August 20, 2008 10:58 PM

BALTIMORE - Terry Francona announced after the game that Clay Buchholz, who allowed five runs over 2-1/3 innings in an 11-6 Sox loss to the Orioles was demoted to Double-A Portland to work out his pitching issues.

"I talked to Buck and we feel we need to give him a renewed start," said Francona who also indicated he thinks Buchholz, now 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA will respond.

Buchholz has never been able to find his rhythm all season. The team has tinkered with his arm angle, but that hasn't worked.

The team did not make a corresponding move yet. They take on the Jays Friday in Toronto.

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7 comments so far...

It's about time. Buchholz= Brian Rose

Posted by Kevin August 20, 08 11:13 PM

I don't know why they waited so long to do this. They should have done it after he lost 3 or 4 games then at least it would have given the Sox a chance to perhaps have more numbers in the win column. They have a young pitcher named Chris Smith who has done well for them so why not call him up?

Posted by Maria Graham August 20, 08 11:19 PM

About time, give him a chance to get out of the pressure of a pennant race, and give the team a chance to actually win when our 5th starter pitches.

Posted by Kevin August 20, 08 11:46 PM

It is about time they put him where he belongs. I never thought he should have been in the rotation coming out of spring training. I always believed he needed more seasoning before bringing him up. Imagine if we had 5 of those games that he lost as wins. We would be in first.

Posted by Don Sox Fan in LA by way of MA August 21, 08 12:00 AM

From all the hype Clay has received by the Sox management over the past few years, I still hope he can turn out to be good to great someday. This is not that year. I think he was thrust into a starting role too soon, and that wouldn't have happened if Curt had pitched Clay probably would have started at Pawtucket and been called up if he was doing well down there. Anyway, that's the past, right now a team not at all assured of a playoff spot can't afford to have a still very green pitcher in the starting rotation when every win is precious.

Posted by Sam August 21, 08 12:50 AM

It's about time Buchholtz be demoted and learn how pitch. Tonight was just miserable...blowing an early 4-0 lead. I wish him the best but he seems to be very fragile out on the mound when things get tough. This isn't the time in the season to try to build his confidence...the Red Sox need wins to keep pace with Tampa, Chicago and Minnestoa. And the bullpen hasn't helped either. Nothing like giving up a three run jack to the first batter. GO SOX!!!!

Posted by JB, Boise, Idaho August 21, 08 01:05 AM

I wish for Clay's sake they had done this earlier, after last night, yes he played a part, but Aardsma and Lopez threw the pitches that put the game out of reach (and seriously, it wasn't really even out of reach then, hello, this teams as a horrible ERA that is only higher than the Rangers). I mean, if they can't stop inherited runs from scoring, should they have been brought in? I know Masterson pitched two innnings the night before, but I bet another two thirds of an innning would have been fine with a day off the next day and that he probably wouldn't be called on again until Sunday since Byrd and Lester can pitch into the seventh inning at least.

Posted by Kate August 21, 08 12:49 PM