David Ortiz started their three-homer barrage with his 17th of the season in the first inning and the Red Sox beat the Miami Marlins 7-5 despite Buchholz’s worst start in nearly a month.
“Clay didn’t have his great stuff tonight and the offense seemed to sense it,” Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. “They were going to do what they had to do to get us enough runs.”
Cody Ross, activated from the disabled list before the game, and Kelly Shoppach also homered as Buchholz (8- 2) benefited again from a strong hitting attack. He entered the game with the second-best support in the majors, 7.51 runs per nine innings.
“That’s the way the year’s been going,” Buchholz said. “Guys are scoring in the first inning and then keeping it going.”
The Red Sox scored six runs in five innings against Mark Buehrle (5-8), breaking a 5-5 tie on Adrian Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly in the fifth.
“You keep on getting hit around and giving up runs every inning, it’s going to get you out of the game pretty early,” Buehrle said.
Tough Fenway win
The win came at Fenway Park where the Red Sox lost their previous three games, six of seven, and are just 15-19 this season. They began the day in last place in the AL East but won their fifth game in the last six overall and their third straight in the opener of a nine-game homestand. And they improved to 34-33, going over .500 for the first time since June 7.
Alfredo Aceves worked a perfect ninth for his 17th save in 20 opportunities.
“We haven’t had much luck at home,” shortstop Mike Aviles said, “but any win’s always good.”
There haven’t been many lately for the Marlins.
They dropped to 2-11 in their last 13 games as Buehrle gave up three homers and lost his fourth straight start in a rematch of a 2-1 loss to Buchholz in Miami on June 12.
The Marlins scored more than four runs for the first time in 13 games and matched the Red Sox with 10 hits.
Logan Morrison drove in all five Miami runs with a two-run homer and two doubles, then sent center fielder Ryan Kalish toward the wall where he made the catch with a runner on third and two outs in the seventh inning.
Notes — Boston put OF Scott Podsednik on the 15-day DL with a strained left groin. Kalish misplayed two fly balls near the wall in center field.
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