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Buchholz to make debut when Red Sox host Angels in DH

Aug 17, 2007 - 1:50 PM LA Angels (70-49) at Boston (72-48) 1:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox will give their top prospect his first taste of the major leagues when they open a day-night doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday.

Clay Buchholz (NR) has dominated minor league hitting this season, posting an 8-2 record with a 2.15 ERA in 22 games - 21 starts - between Class AA Portland and Class AAA Pawtucket. Just 23 years old, the righthander possesses four plus-pitches, including a curveball that Red Sox scouts rank as the best in the organization.

The 42nd overall selection in the 2005 draft, Buchholz was picked up with the compensation pick that Boston received when the New York Mets signed Pedro Martinez as a free agent following the 2004 season. He has racked up 164 strikeouts in 117 innings and held opponents to a .187 average in the minors this season.

Buchholz will be facing an Angels offense that managed a total of six runs while dropping two of three at the Toronto Blue Jays this week.

Anaheim will be going with John Lackey (15-6, 3.07 ERA), who shares the major league lead for wins with Boston's Josh Beckett.

Although he will not be facing off with Beckett in the nightcap, Lackey still aims for his fourth consecutive win against a team that has caused him a great deal of problems.

In 10 career starts against the Red Sox, the righthander is just 1-5 with a 5.75 ERA.

In his last start here on April 13, Lackey suffered a loss after allowing three runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings of a 10-1 setback.