Jon Lester fires a pitch during the first inning of last night's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
TORONTO – When Clay Buchholz takes the mound tonight, 18 days will have passed between starts for the rookie. It's enough time for plenty of lessons to be learned, even if you've pitched a no-hitter in the first go-round.
Although Buchholz' only on-the-job training since his Sept. 1 no-hitter was a three-inning relief appearance in Baltimore, there have been bonuses to being around his new teammates.
For one, the organization has encouraged the 23-year-old to pay close attention to how the veteran pitchers go about their business on the days there isn't a crowd cheering them on.
"The one thing any young player who has an extended time at this level sees is how important every night is," pitching coach John Farrell said. "So for a starting pitcher, it's not just the night they walk to the mound, it's the work in between and knowing there's a purpose for every one of those days in that cycle.
There have been other lessons, according to Buchholz, such as those learned during "between five and six" bullpen sessions.
As for the rest of the rotation, manager Terry Francona said Tim Wakefield will start Sunday in Tampa Bay, not Curt Schilling as was thought. Beckett will pitch against the Devil Rays Friday, with Daisuke Matsuzaka going Saturday. Schilling will pitch on eight days' rest, facing Oakland next Tuesday at Fenway Park.
Manny Ramirez took a slight step back in his return from the oblique injury that has kept him out of the lineup since Aug. 29. After doing some running drills Monday, Ramirez still felt pain, putting a timetable for his return on hold.
"When he runs he feels it," Francona said. "It has not gone away. . . . Running yesterday didn't go as well as he had hoped." . . .
Left-hander Jon Lester threw 108 pitches last night, the first time he eclipsed 100 this season. He has worked at least six innings six times in 10 starts. . . . Jason Varitek snapped an 0-for-18 drought with a second-inning single. . . . Jacoby Ellsbury was 1-for-5 and has hit safely in 15-of-16 games since joining the Sox on Sept. 1.
First baseman Kevin Youkilis, who has been out of the lineup since being hit in the right wrist by a Chien-Ming Wang pitch Saturday, remains too sore to play.
With a wrap on his wrist, Youkilis played a light game of catch with trainer Paul Lessard before batting practice, but appeared bothered by the injury.
"Youk threw a little bit, made some progress, but again, (Monday) was really the first day even just squeezing a ball," Francona said. "He's doing everything he can, but I don't think he can go faster than the healing is going to allow." . . .
Center fielder Coco Crisp was out of the starting lineup because of a lingering injury to his back.