Bats, Buch Beat Birds

Clay Buchholz (pictured) pitched well for the 3rd straight game and the Red Sox took advantage of some early wildness by Orioles starter Brian Matusz in beating Baltimore 6-0 at Fenway Park. The win snapped Boston's 3-game losing streak heading into the weekend interleague series against the Washington Nationals.

Buchholz showed excellent command throughout the game striking out 6 while only walking one batter. He allowed just 4 hits over 9 shutout innings, his first complete game of the 2012 season.

The Red Sox scored a pair of runs in each of the 1st three innings. Adrian Gonzalez drove in both 1st-inning runs with a double to right. An error in the 2nd inning helped Boston score one of its runs, and Daniel Nava's 2-out single in the 3rd scored Gonzalez and Darnell McDonald.

Gonzalez had 3 hits in the game to raise his average to .272.

NOTES - Daniel Nava's campaign to stay with the team once Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury return continues - he had a pair of hits including his 11th double of the season. He also walked twice, scored a run and drove in two more batting in the leadoff spot. His average is now .306.

Speaking of Carl Crawford, he will begin a throwing program tomorrow (Friday).

Recently demoted pitcher Daniel Bard will start for AAA Pawtucket Friday night against the Indianapolis Indians.