Red Sox rookie pitcher Clay Buchholz threw a no hitter in only his second career start tonight the Red Sox 10 to 0 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Boston. He is now 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

Buchholz became the 3rd major leaguer in history to throw a no hitter in his first or second career start.

The other two? Bobo Holloman who did it in his first start in 1953 and Wilson Alvarez who did it in his second start in 1991.

Certainly the Red Sox hope that Buchholz, 23, has a better career than Alvarez (102-92, 3.95) and Holloman (3-7, 5.23) - Holloman was 30 years old as a rookie in 1953 and after his amazing start he went 2-7 the rest of the season. Alvarez had some good seasons (1993 in particular when he went 15-8 with a 2.95 ERA) but overall he was an average pitcher during his career. Alvarez was also named as a steroids user in Jose Canseco's book, but Alvarez has maintained he never took steroids. He has not pitched since 2005.

Buccholz' no hitter overshadowed the debut of fellow rookie pitcher Ian Kennedy who had a strong start for the rival Yankees. Kennedy allowed 5 hits and 3 runs (only 1 earned) in 7 innings. He struck out 6 and walked 2. He got the win as the Yankees topped the Devil Rays in New York 9 to 6.

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz