Buchholz Demoted To Double A Portland...Orioles 11 Red Sox 6

The Boston Red Sox, who were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday night by a score of 11-6, have demoted pitcher Clay Buchholz to their Double A Portland club. It's clear to all of us that he is just not ready to perform at the major league level. Here's what he said after learning his well-deserved fate...

"...but the last couple starts, it's hard to think they can give me any more opportunities than they have in this stretch, especially with only a month and a half left in the season and the pennant race as close as it is now. You've got to send guys out there that you believe are going to go out there and give you a win or give you six, seven innings, and I haven't been doing that. So I hate to say it was the right decision, but I believe it was."

Peter here, and it was. Clay will work with a familiar face, at least to him...Portland pitching coach Mike Cather, who has worked with him in the past. With 35 games left to go in the regular season, an automatic loss every fifth game is no way to make it to the promised land called the postseason. With upcoming days off, a fifth starter will not be needed until August 30th, and by then, Wakes should be back or close to being back followed by Bartolo Colon. By my count, that would make six viable starters, and when Josh pitches against the Yankees next week, Boston will have a four man rotation. That's OK. They have off days today (the bullpen guys are thanking the schedule makers) and Monday. Perfect timing. That's four men into five men into six men, and they'll all be needed for the September push towards a World Series repeat. Easier said than done, though. Beware...

I won't go into the details of last night's loss, except that Buchholz was handed a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second. From there, it was all downhill. Fast. Bobsled slickly fast. We'll see you next year, Clay. Bon chance!

The day off today will give the 'pen a much needed one day rest before a three game set with the always tough, at least against us, Toronto Blue Jays. Boston right now is tied with Minnesota. Both clubs have 54 losses. So it's all hands on deck time because one of those two baseball teams will be sitting in their living rooms or playing golf in that magic baseball month of October. I hope it's not us. Priority number one is to get Josh Beckett back. It turns out that his tingling arm numbness was caused by a wrong sleeping position. We hope that's all it was, and we all yearn to see his familiar face on the mound either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday against the pinstripers, who will be desperate to sweep us in their September push for a playoff berth. They're only four games behind us for the Wild Card slot.

Thanks for stopping in once again. What do you think of Clay's demotion? You already know what I think. And you can click on this post's title for all the news that fits, including the latest on Yaz, Bartolo, Wakes and Josh. KEEP THE FAITH...we need every bit of it. And as always, BE WELL.