NEW: Red Sox Report: Buchholz To Pitch In Pain

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

Finally! Finally the Red Sox decided to play “small ball” when the situation warranted it. The problem is that Marco Scutaro missed the sign.

A dejected Scutaro accepted the blame for missing the squeeze sign in the bottom of the 12th when Josh Reddick was on third base with only 1 out.

Third base coach Tim Bogar gave him the sign, but Scutaro either missed it or just didn’t understand it. Whatever the case may be, Scutaro took a fast ball from Royals’ pitcher Louis Coleman instead of laying down the bunt. As a result, Reddick got caught in a rundown where he was eventually tagged out.

While the Red Sox rarely do this type of thing, it was clearly the right call at the right time. The problem is that Scutaro simply messed up.

-It was a solid return to the mound for Jon Lester coming off the disabled list. After a 2 hour 21 minute rain delay, the lefthander took the mound and pitched 5 innings of shutout baseball before eventually giving the game-tying run to Kansas City in the 6th. Lester’s final line was 5 1/3 innings of 7-hit, 1-run baseball. He walked 2 and struck out 6 in his 89 pitches.

-Clay Buchholz threw off the mound yesterday but did so with some pain and discomfort. Buchholz said that he has pitched with pain before and seems resigned to the fact that he may have to do so again if he wants to return to the mound this season for Boston. He has been on the disabled list since mid June with a lower back strain. After yesterday’s 30-pitch session, the Sox will see how Buchholz feels today. If he appears to be okay, he will pitch a full side session tomorrow.

-Kevin Youkilis probably won't play tonight due to a strained hamstring which forced him to leave the game last night.

-All remains quiet on the trade front…….for now. While many believe that there will be a flurry of activity throughout the league before the July 31st deadline, some expect the Red Sox to make only a minor move or two. Stay tuned.
 

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