(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
This was nothing close to the duel between Buehrle and Buchholz from last week. The Marlins struck first, but the Red Sox threw the last punch and came out on top with the 7-5 victory.
I expected another pitchers duel after the last meeting these two pitchers had exactly a week ago. Instead each offense figured these guys out and started the scoring very early. Clay Buchholz gave up a 2-run homer to Logan Morrison in the top of the first, putting the Sox down early yet again. David Ortiz answered right back with a 2-run homer of his own in the bottom of the first and the Sox didn't fall behind again. Kelly Shoppach continued his hot streak against Buehrle, hitting his 4th career homer off of him, a 2-run home run in the second. Cody Ross returned to the lineup tonight and didn't waste time making noise. Ross added a third Sox' home run in the 4th, a solo home run, his 9th of the season. The final two runs came on a Gonzo sac fly in the 5th and a Middlebrooks double in the 6th.
Back to the awful pitching by two good starters. These guys could not get settled on the mound and were the exact opposite of what they were last week. Clay Buchholz looked awful from the start and it looked as if the Marlins would run away with it. Then, Mark Buehrle took the mound and stuck it up just as bad as Buchholz. Buchholz went 6 innings, giving up 9 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 1 walk, and struck out 3, and it was just enough for the victory. I guess this game was somewhat similar to their last meeting. Each starter had similar outings, each offense put up similar numbers in a close game, and the victory, loss, and save were awarded to the same players. To sum it up, the Sox got the victory and that's all that matters.
