D-Backs clobber Cubs in series opener in Chicago
Paul Goldschmidt homered, his 22nd of the season, and Patrick Corbin pitched seven strong innings to pick up his first win in seven weeks, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night at Wrigley Field.
CHICAGO – Clay Buchholz had a pretty special start to his career. In just his second big-league start with the Boston Red Sox, he tossed a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
Of course, that was more than 10 years ago. Buchholz isn't that pitcher anymore.
Still, the veteran right-hander remembers it well, and he remembers those who gave him the opportunity.
Buchholz, who signed a minorleague deal with the Diamondbacks in May, is scheduled to come off the disabled list and start on Tuesday here against the Chicago Cubs.
It will be Buchholz’s first career start at Wrigley Field, and he’s hoping to have similar beginner’s luck at MLB’s second-oldest venue as he did at its oldest (Fenway Park).
“It’s a pretty surreal moment,” Buchholz said of preparing for the start. “There’s not a whole lot of people who get to be around the game for 10 or more years. A lot has changed over the last 10-12 years, but I’ve still got to find a way to go out there and grind.
“I’m trying to help this team win so we can get back on a winning track and make that playoff push.”
There are many familiar faces for Buchholz in Chicago. His longtime friend Jon Lester is the team’s ace, and New England native Brian Butterfield is the Cubs' third base coach after holding the same position in Boston from 2013-17.
But most important is the Cubs' front office spearheaded by former Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein. Epstein’s regime was the one that
drafted Buchholz in 2005.
“If you play long enough, you’ll be playing against guys you played with and coaches you had,” Buchholz said. “It’s pretty special here because this is the front office that drafted me. I haven’t gotten to see them yet.
“Every time I see them, I try to tell them thanks for everything they did. It’s a special place here, for sure.”
In seven starts with the Diamondbacks, Buchholz has posted a 2-1 record to go along with a 2.56 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. He provided valuable insurance when Robbie Ray went down with an injury.
Buchholz, who said he’s felt healthy for the past 10 days or so, went on the 10-day DL with a strained left oblique suffered while swinging a bat. He has since made one rehab appearance, logging 6 1/3 innings with Class-A Visalia on Thursday.
“I’m anxious to see how he does and I know he’s eager to get back on the mound after a stay on the DL,” Lovullo said. “I’m going to take it piece-by-piece myself and just enjoy the ride with him.”
Lovullo, who was in Boston with Buchholz from 2013-16, said he can sense the added anticipation that Buchholz has for this start.
“I have a funny feeling,” Lovullo said. “Deep down inside somewhere, he’s feeling a sense of pride and wanting to go out there and do his job. He really does that every fifth day, but this one might be a little bit more special. He’ll have a lot of people who loved and supported him throughout his development in Boston.”
Buchholz has just one career start against the Cubs, a no-decision in 2014 at Fenway Park. He lasted 6 1/3 innings while allowing five hits, one run and striking out two batters.
Now in his 12th year with more than 1,200 innings logged in the big leagues, Buchholz doesn’t have many more chances to make those special moments like his no-hitter back in 2007.
But with his wife, Lindsay, and two children making the trip to Chicago, Buchholz has a feeling Tuesday could yield another one.
“It’s one of the few that I haven’t gotten a chance to pitch at, really,” Buchholz said. “With all the updates and everything they’ve done, it looks really nice. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been able to talk to Lester and (John) Lackey about pitching here and they love it.
“It’s something that everybody will remember.”