Empyreal Environs

And it really doesn’t matter
If I’m wrong, I’m right
Where I belong, I’m right
Where I belong
“Fixing a Hole,” Lennon-McCartney

As Clay Buchholz dug his preferred divot in front of the rubber the Red Sox clawed themselves even in the standings with their northerly rivals. This wasn’t one of Buchholz’s lucky wins, either, as the lanky pitcher’s line indicates: 8 innings pitched, 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. The Buchholz that hurled a no-hitter in his rookie season and finished sixth in Cy Young voting in 2010 seems to have returned. Funny to reminisce about the Buchholz of yore since he is only 27 years of age.

The Red Sox kept the rest of the American League within sight while they were down two key outfielders. In fact, while Dustin Pedroia was shelved because of an injured right thumb his team finally kept its record above .500. Who needs that former Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player loudmouth?

The Red Sox can win with a patchwork roster of undrafted outfielders (Daniel Nava) and middling MLB retreads (Scott Atchison, Scott Podsednik), cleverly stitched together by Bobby Valentine. Nava in particular plays with a desperation showing that if he doesn’t make his mark in people’s minds he may waste another season away in a minor league hamlet. Nava knocked in three doubles: one allowed him to score and another drove in a run. The last one was a ground-rule double in the ninth

Atchison has replaced Alfredo Aceves in the bullpen as the rubber arm reliever. If a starter gets lit up early in the game Atchison will be the one to warming in the bullpen. If Valentine needs a reliable, versatile reliever to bridge the gap between starter and closer Atchison is in the mix. When someone has to toe the rubber in a non-save situation, as in this game, Atchison will give you a tidy, scoreless inning.

Podsednik was tapped to leadoff. He added to Boston’s lead with a two-out RBI single to the second baseman. As the regulars mend and return, will it be Nava or Podsednik who will remain? I for one hope that Nava will be given a chance to establish the career that Podsednik has already enjoyed.

Game 52: June 1, 2012
Boston Red Sox 27-25	7	W: Clay Buchholz (5-2)
		2B: Danie Nava – 3 (10), Adrian Gonzalez (19), Ryan Sweeney (16) HR: David Ortiz (13)
Toronto Blue Jays 27-25	2	L: Henderson Alvarez (3-5)
		2B: David Cooper (2) HR: Yunel Escobar (3), Cooper (1)