Game 114: Buchholz pitches well, but dealt the loss

by Randy Booth on Aug 14, 2009 12:11 AM EDT in Game Stories

Final - 8.13.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit Tigers	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	3	0
Boston Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
WP: Justin Verlander (13 - 6) SV: Fernando Rodney (24) LP: Clay Buchholz (1 - 3)

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Even when things are going well for Clay Buchholz, they're not going well enough.

Buchholz pitched effectively, but was handed the loss as the Red Sox were shut out, 2-0, and put together just four hits.

Buchholz went 7, gave up five hits, two runs (one earned), three walks and struck out three. Unfortunately for Buchholz, he matched up against Justin Verlander -- and he's just stupid good (8 IP, 4H).

The offense was obviously absent. Thank a weird lineup that saw Josh Reddick in the two-hole and Chris Woodward starting. Yes, Woodward started a game. We're automatically back a few steps when Woodward's name is penciled in. He did get hit by two pitches. I guess that's a plus. Victor Martinez had two hits, but that's about the only thing good.

The most impressive part about Thursday's game was the outing by Fernando Cabrera, who pitched the 9th. He pitched a perfect inning and struck out all three batters on 15 pitches.

Niiice.

A sweep would have been great, but I think we'll all take three out of four. The unfortunate thing is that Buchholz pitched quite well but is still served with the loss. He needs just one game where he pitches really well and the Sox win. After that I think he'll be OK.

Sox start a series with the Rangers Friday at 8 p.m. It'll be Jon Lester v. Kevin Millwood.

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Stupid widget.

Says the Tigers got three hits – that would have been a phenomenal outing by Buch.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 14, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

Wasn't

to far off from great. Most nights that is a win.

Ian Browne aspires to be like me.

by jkeough on Aug 14, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Except he was pitching in front of the

1973 San Diego Padres and gets no run support.

Ian Browne aspires to be like me.

by jkeough on Aug 14, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn't get the win, but...

For me, the main thing is Buchholz’ direction. Is he moving toward being a solid, reliable starter worthy of the hype, or just another flash in the pan? I was really worried about him, but the direction looks good. Clay could be another Lester, in which case the wins will come. Like jkeough says, he wasn’t all that far from great this afternoon.

I’d like to see a lot more of Reddick, too. I want to see what if anything we might expect from him in the postseason. I want to see that energy in the lineup, have a good feeling about him. Like many others here do.

by Mister Snitch on Aug 14, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions

The win isn't that important, as you basically said.

But it did appear that Buch is on his way to becoming more solidified – second straight good start, went more than 6 innings, didn’t make too many mistakes, etc.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 14, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Things are honestly coming togetherr.

The problem is that they’ve only now just gotten there, and now we’re basically tied for the Wild Card.

But at least we’re getting things working. Both Tazawa and Buck are looking like they can pitch above the level of a 5th starter, and all we needed was 1 guy who could be that.

The offense was silenced tonight, but I don’t think it’ll be that way much more this year, especially if we get Youk back. Bay seems to be on the upswing, as does Lowell, to the point where I don’t think Francona will keep him playing only 3/5 games or whatever pace he was at (today’s game notwithstanding for both of them. Verlander was filthy good). Ortiz is destined to be the odd man out here, I think, and he really should be. He’s simply not a good baseball player anymore. He should honestly look into hanging it up instead of playing out the rest of his years a shell of his former self.

But a 2-6 of Petey, Youk, Bay, Martinez, and Lowell will get the job done the way they’re looking.

by Ben Buchanan on Aug 14, 2009 1:40 AM EDT reply actions

My one problem with Buchholz: his low K-rate

Let me first say that I think Buchholz will be a very good pitcher. But one thing has me a bit concerned, His first two years in the majors Bushholz averaged 8.6 K/9 (99.2 IP). In the minors, he averaged 10.3 K/9. So far this year (32.1 IP), Buchholz has averaged 5.6 K/9. Buchholz is getting more groundballs and he is also picthing to contact more. It will be interesting to see if his K-rate improves. He certainly has the stuff.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Aug 14, 2009 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting observation.

The low-K rate is factoring into other stats of his as well. By FIP, Buchholz is actually pitching WORSE than he did last year. Go figure. Last year he got lots of Ks, but the overall results were bad.

I think as he continues to adjust to the majors, the K-rate will improve.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Aug 14, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

tRA (now on FanGraphs!!!) has him improving slightly since last year.

5.70 this year vs. 5.72

Based on The Hardball Times’ definition of FIP, the formula is:

(HR*13+(BB+HBP-IBB)3-K2)/IP

and then some league factors are added to get it on an ERA scale. Even without doing the factors, it’s easy to see why Buch’s FIP has gone up. His K’s are down, his BB’s are up. The only improvement was less homers.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 14, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

He definitely looked sharp yesterday.

Not a lot of K’s, and I think that is concerning. But his curveball looked really good, especially early, and if he can locate that pitch a little better he’ll be fine. I think the problem is that he is a little too dependent on his off-speed stuff, so when he’s not locating those pitches (which tends to be often) he walk tons of guys.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Aug 14, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions