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Six-run first by Red Sox helps Buchholz win debut

Aug 17, 2007 - 10:46 PM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Red Sox made sure Clay Buchholz felt comfortable in his major league debut while making John Lackey feel miserable.

David Ortiz belted a two-run homer as part of a six-run outburst in the first inning while Buchholz held the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to four runs in Boston's 8-4 victory in Friday's first game of a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park.

After allowing an unearned run in the first, Buchholz (1-0) finished with eight hits allowed and struck out five against three walks in six innings. The righthander threw 91 pitches - 58 for strikes - and featured impressive command of several pitches.

To make room for the 23-year-old pitcher, the Red Sox traded struggling outfielder Wily Mo Pena and cash considerations to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named. Pena had hit just .218 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 73 games.

"It's something that I have been working for since I joined the Red Sox," Buchholz said of his first major league start. "No words can really describe it. That's what I have wanted to do for the past three years in pro ball and today was the day and I had a great time with it."

The 2005 sandwich pick, who was compensation for the free agent loss of Pedro Martinez, was optioned immediately after the game to make room for another Red Sox prospect, Jacoby Ellsbury.

"(Buchholz) has some potentially devastating off-speed pitches, and he competes," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of his pitcher. "The game didn't quicken up on him."

While the Angels arrived in Boston just hours before first pitch because of their win Thursday night in Toronto, it was Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew who looked weary in the first inning.

Drew dropped a fly ball off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero with one out. The error opened the door for Chone Figgins to score on Garret Anderson's groundout. Figgins worked a four-pitch walk as the first batter Buchholz faced.

"There were a lot of them," Buchholz said of the nerves he was feeling. "I felt like I was doing everything wrong. Then the second inning passed and then the third inning and fourth inning on, I felt good out there. I still tried to overthrow a couple of pitches but that comes with the territory, I guess."

"You can see he has got great stuff," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "With a little refining, this guy looks like he's gonna be good for a long time. I was very impressed with his changeup. He's got life on his fastball and he's got a good breaking ball, although he wasn't consistent with it today."

But the unearned run wasn't nearly enough for Lackey (15-7), who was pounded for six runs and seven hits in the first inning alone, facing 10 batters and throwing 46 pitches. Ortiz's homer to right field was his 20th, marking the sixth straight season the slugger has reached that plateau.

Drew quickly atoned for his miscue by tripling to center, driving in Manny Ramirez for the third run of the first. In all, the Red Sox collected five extra-base hits in the opening frame.

The big inning gave Buchholz enough of a cushion to relax, settling into a groove before allowing four consecutive one-out hits in the fifth, leading to two runs.

"I thought he kept his poise real well," Francona said. "(We) go out in the first inning, drop a fly ball, he minimizes the damage and then, to our credit, we go out against one of the better pitchers in the league and throw up a crooked number."

Looking for his fourth straight winning start, Lackey was roughed up for seven runs - six earned - and 11 hits in lasting just four innings.

The latest outing continued a rough showing at Fenway Park for the 28-year-old Lackey, who fell to 1-4 with a 7.46 ERA in seven career starts.

"They're a good team," Lackey said. "You've got to give them a lot of credit. I made a few good pitches (in the first) and they were able to get just enough to get some hits on, and the bad pitches I made, they were hit hard."

Drew, who finished with three hits, singled to right in the fourth. A throwing error by Guerrero on the play allowed Kevin Youkilis to score for a 7-1 run lead. Dustin Pedroia homered in the eighth to round out the scoring.

Boston All-Star reliever Hideki Okajima allowed two hits in 1 2/3 innings and closer Jonathan Papelbon recorded the final four outs to record his 29th save in 31 chances.

Casey Kotchman, who came into the game hitless in his last 13 at-bats, led the Angels offense with a career-high four hits.

The game was a makeup for an April 16 rainout between the two clubs.