Buchholz and bobbleheads arrive together
Clay Buchholz will accomplish a first in Portland on Monday. He will be the first Sea Dogs player appearing at Hadlock Field the same night his own bobblehead is being given away.
It is Clay Buchholz Bobblehead Monday night at Hadlock Field, the same day the Sea Dogs will be returning for an eight-day homestand.
Buchholz, who was demoted from the majors Wednesday night, could even be starting Monday, if he sticks to his normal rest.
It has been an amazing journey for Buchholz, who began the 2007 season in Portland, reached the majors and pitched a no-hitter last September.
Then came the disappointment of being shut down before the post-season ... then the anticipation of him joining the big-league rotation this year.
Buchholz looked okay in April - 2 rough starts and 3 solid ones, including that April 26 loss at Tampa Bay. He carried a 1-hitter into the 8th before giving up a 2-run homer.
Then it unraveled. Buchholz is 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA following Wednesday's disaster (2 1/3, 3 H, 5 R, 3 BB/1HB, 0 K).
If Curt Schilling's shoulder had not broken down, or if Bartolo Colon could stay off the DL, then Buchholz would be developing in Pawtucket, with an occasional major league call-up.
Now he's headed back to Portland, to re-join pitching coach Mike Cather, who handled Buchholz in both Class A Wilmington briefly in '06, and in Portland last year.
The bobblehead night celebrates a past accomplishment. His re-appearance in a Sea Dogs uniform recognizes that the future is no guarantee.
In the minors, David Pauley ran his Pawtucket record to 14-4 (3.55 ERA), going 6 1/3 innings (7 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 2 K). Hmm, maybe Pauley gets another crack at the majors ... Dusty Brown (.286) went 3-for-4 ... Jeff Corsaletti (.195) hit his second home run.
The Sea Dogs enjoyed doubles in a 4-3 win. Jorge Jimenez (.272) and Aaron Bates (.278) had two apiece, and Lars Anderson (.343) hit a 2-run double ... Daniel Bard (2.11) got his 5th save (1 2/3, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K).
Kris Negron and Ryan Kalish both homered for Lancaster ... Blake Maxwell (3.2) went 7 innings (5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K).
Posted at 05:08 AM
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