April 12, 2015

G6: Yankees 14, Red Sox 4

Red Sox - 000 310 000 -  4  8  1
Yankees - 700 303 01x - 14 16  1
As good as Buchholz was in his first start, that's how bad he was in his second. By the time Buchholz (3.1-9-10-2-3, 79) recorded his second out, the Yankees led by seven runs.

Buchholz walked Jacoby Ellsbury, who raced to third when Brett Gardner squibbed a single through the infield into left. Carlos Beltran grounded into a fielder's choice, and Ellsbury scored. Mark Teixeira walked and Brian McCann reached on a fielding error by first baseman Mike Napoli. With the bases loaded, Alex Rodriguez slammed a double to the gap in left-center, bringing in three runs. Chase Headley crushed a two-run home run to right and Stephen Drew followed with a solo shot to right-center.

Although Buchholz retired the next seven batters, he did not make it out of the fourth inning. Boston had cut the lead to 7-3 with a rally in the top half, with Xander Bogaerts's two-run double being the big blow. Buchholz gave those runs right back, allowing singles to the first four New York batters - Didi Gregorius, Ellsbury, Gardner, and Beltran. A sac fly by Teixeira made it 10-3, and ended Clay's night.

Hanley Ramirez homered in the fifth. ... Bogaerts and Pablo Sandoval had two hits each. ... Napoli singled (snapping an 0-for-18 start to the season) and walked twice.
Example
Clay Buchholz / Masahiro Tanaka
Betts, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Ramirez, LF
Sandoval, 3B
Napoli, 1B
Victorino, RF
Bogaerts, SS
Hanigan, C
Boston (4-1) goes for a three-game sweep of the Yankees as Buchholz hopes to continue the success he had against the Phillies (seven shutout innings) on Opening Day. "Mechanically, I'm in a lot better spot," Buchholz said. "I feel like I'm within my delivery with every pitch. ... I feel like I know my mechanics better than I did at any point last year."

Tanaka lasted only four innings in his first start, throwing 82 pitches and allowing five runs. He avoided throwing his fastball, causing some concerns about the slightly torn ligament in his right elbow.

2 comments:

Kathryn said...

Not what you want to hear from your ace

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/04/12/yankees-rock-red-sox-series-finale/U8nQkjQoXe87A4gPTVhmhI/story.html

Buchholz seemed to lose interest in the game as it worsened, standing and watching the Yankees circle the bases instead of getting in position to back up throws.

The commentators on ESPN took note of his indifference.

“Felt like they were going to score regardless of a good throw or not. That’s a mistake on my part. Pretty frustrated when things are going that way,” Buchholz said.

Said Farrell: “Once the pitch is thrown, you become a fielder. There are responsibilities to the game situation and that includes backing up bases. The game doesn’t stop.”

Tom DePlonty said...

I hate to sound like a talk radio caller but I'm now firmly in the camp that thinks Buchholz doesn't have the mental makeup to do this well, regardless of how good his arm. The not backing up bases was just inexcusable.