G26: Rays 2, Red Sox 1

Red Sox - 000 010 000 - 1  5  0
Rays    - 000 000 02x - 2  3  0

Alternate headline: Buchholz Fantastic; Francona Getting Dumber

A team that scores one run in nine innings will not win too many games, but it looked like it might be enough for the Red Sox on Saturday.

Buchholz had pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, with eight strikeouts. He had retired 19 of the last 20 Rays hitters and only one of those outs left the infield. But he was at 94 pitches. And MDC, Jeemer and Papelbot were ready in the pen.

Francona sent Clay out for another inning. Why? What's the point?

Buchholz struck out the first hitter, allowed a single to right and got a fly ball to center. But Iwamura crushed a 1-1 pitch to deep right field -- it was Clay's 110th pitch -- and the Rays had two runs.

And that was that. Buchholz finished with a wonderful 8-3-2-2-9 line, but Tito should have been satisfied with 7-1-0-2-7.

Remember that Red Sox management was so concerned about Buchholz's shoulder that Theo ordered Tito to remove him from his no-hitter last September if he reached 120 pitches? He threw 113 today. Against Tampa Bay in late April.

With or without your top three bullpen arms rested and ready, that decision defies common sense.

Is there something in the air in the Trop wreaking havoc with Francona's mind? Does he hallucinate when he hears a cowbell? ... He has not been himself these last two nights.

***

Clay Buchholz (4.79, 95 ERA+) / Edwin Jackson (4.63, 94 ERA+)

Amalie Benjamin, Globe:

Brandon Moss has joined the Red Sox in Tampa, and the corresponding move might be a trip to the DL for Sean Casey. ... David Ortiz was in the original Red Sox lineup, but a second lineup has been posted, and Ortiz has been scratched.

Ellsbury, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Drew, DH
Ramirez, LF
Youkilis, 1B
Crisp, CF
Varitek, C
Lowrie, 3B
Lugo, SS

Buchholz:

The thing I noticed with the Yankees, the first time I faced them, the first time through the lineup they were getting a feel for pitches I threw and the second time they saw me, that's when everybody started swinging. For the most part, teams I've pitched against this year have been basically the same way - they get a feel for pitches I throw the first time through, try to work you deep in the count. Next time they try to sit on a pitch and if they get it they're going to swing. I think [that] helps any pitcher.

Justin Masterson is the first Jamaican-born pitcher to appear in the majors (his parents were missionaries). He is also "the first Sox starter to allow two or fewer hits while lasting at least six innings in a major league debut since Billy Rohr's complete-game one-hitter at Yankee Stadium on April 14, 1967".

The Yankees (with Ian Kennedy and his 9.64 ERA and 2.29 WHIP) play in Bugland at 4 PM.