Magic comes in zeros.
In Buchholz's second career major league start, he performed what no other Boston Red Sox rookie has ever done by throwing a no-hitter. It was the third no-hitter in the majors this season and the first Red Sox no-hitter since Derek Lowe performed the feat in 2002. Although Buchholz allowed three walks, I still consider his performance tonight as perfect as perfect can be.
Buchholz's weapon of choice was his changeup. His fastball maxed out around 94 m.p.h., but his changeup (clocked around 78 m.p.h.) is what got the batters swinging off their back foot. The changeup is what made the batters dumbfounded, finding themselves staring at strike three. His curveball was also effective late in the counts.
I think Buchholz found his groove in the 8th inning when he started painting the edges of the plate with his changeup. From that point on, I personally felt like he was going to keep zeros on the board. Another important factor in the no-no was that he never shook off his catcher Jason Varitek, at least for what viewers saw. As long as Buchholz kept throwing whatever Varitek showed for fingers, he was going to be OK.
This game is obviously big for Buchholz himself, but I think this is going to be a huge boost to the ballclub. The whole team was behind Buchholz, throwing their body out on the line (case in point: Dustin Pedroia's fantastic hit-saving play in the 7th) for a potentially great rookie. This is the type of game that will push the Sox into the post-season.
This no-hitter did more than give the Red Sox a victory. It may give the Red Sox a ring come October.