For the past few days, all we’ve heard about is how effective – or rather – how ineffective Boston Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz could be come Game 4 of the 2013 World Series.
Buchholz, who has battled an arm injury all season long was reported to have a ‘physical issue’ a few days ago, which eventually came to light as arm fatigue. Boston decided they’d push Buchholz back a day and start him in Game 4 than in his originally scheduled Game 3, hoping the extra rest would do him good.
Things got off to a odd start when Buchholz sailed a warmup pitch in the first inning, though maybe that was done with a rye smile as the Red Sox starter looked flawless en route to Boston’s Game 4 victory.
Despite his success, it was Buchholz who gave up the game’s first run – an RBI single in the third inning by who else but postseason legend, Carlos Beltran. That would be the only run Buchholz would give up though (and it was unearned) as the Red Sox starter battled through four gritty innings before giving way to the Boston bullpen.
Meanwhile, for St. Louis, Lance Lynn was solid through his 5.2 innings of work though it was the Cardinals relief core who dirtied his ERA as Jonny Gomes hit a mammoth three-run home run off reliever Seth Maness. Two of the three runs were charged to Lynn, who gave up three overall.
Gomes, who was a late replacement for Shane Victorino wasn’t supposed to start the game, but thankfully for Boston, he did as it was his decisive hit that swung the tide of Game 4.
Down 4-1 after the Gomes blast, St. Louis did their best to make a comeback as they plated a run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a Matt Carpenter single, tightening the line at 4-2.
That score would hold throughout the rest of the game, despite a spirited effort from the Cardinals to get back into the game.
The Red Sox’s victory, which tied the series at 2-2 guarantees the Fall Classic will move back to Boston for a Game 6 after Monday’s Game 5, St. Louis’ final home contest of the season.