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Red Sox welcome back Buchholz vs. Orioles

Jul 11, 2008 - 10:12 AM Baltimore (44-46) at Boston (55-39) 7:05 p.m. EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox will welcome back Clay Buchholz Friday when they open a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

The rookie righthander has been dominating Class AAA competition for the past six weeks, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.47 ERA and 43 strikeouts against 17 walks in 43 2/3 innings.

One of the top prospects in the game prior to the season, Buchholz (2-3, 5.53 ERA) made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster but was inconsistent in eight starts, especially with his fastball command. A split middle fingernail gave Boston the excuse it needed to get him some more seasoning in the minors after a stint on the disabled list.

With the front office sufficiently satisfied with his progress, the Red Sox made the announcement earlier in the week that fellow rookie righthander Justin Masterson, who had performed well in nine starts, would head back to Class AAA Pawtucket to be converted to the bullpen while Buchholz took over in the rotation.

Buchholz, 23, has had his way with the Orioles during his brief major league tenure, striking out nine while tossing a no-hitter in his second major league start on September 1, 2007, and following that by allowing one hit in three scoreless frames during a relief appearance a week later.

Boston has been hot this week, shaking off a 2-7 road trip with a sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. The Red Sox improved their major league-best home record to 34-10 Wednesday with an 18-5 romp.

Baltimore has dropped five straight, including being swept in a three-game series by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles' last four losses have each been by one run.

Brian Burres (6-5, 5.07) will get the start . The lefthander was crushed by Boston on June 1, allowing seven runs and 12 hits in four innings to suffer a loss. He is 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in nine career games - two starts - against the AL East rivals.