Clay Buchholz

In his second major league start, he pitched a no-hitter, becoming the third MLB pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first or second start and the first Red Sox rookie to throw one.

He was a two-time MLB All-Star.

Raised in Lumberton, Texas, Buchholz played baseball for the local youth baseball leagues, and then for the Lumberton High School Raiders.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Buchholz became the third pitcher since 1900 to pitch a no-hitter in his first or second major league start.

The Red Sox obtained their supplemental pick, the 42nd overall, as compensation for losing free agent Pedro Martínez to the New York Mets.

Buchholz pitched 41 1⁄3 innings for the Lowell Spinners of the New York–Penn League, compiling a record of 0–1 with 45 strikeouts in 15 starts.

He then pitched for the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Class-A Advanced) and the Greenville Drive (Class-A).

Between the two teams, Buchholz struck out 140 and walked 33 in 119 innings while going 11–4.

Bobo Holloman did it in his first start on May 6, 1953, for the St. Louis Browns at home against the Philadelphia Athletics, and Wilson Álvarez did it in his second start on August 11, 1991, for the Chicago White Sox at Baltimore.

Clay Daniel Buchholz (born August 14, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Buchholz began his college career in 2004 at McNeese State University.

He was subsequently dismissed from the McNeese baseball team after stealing 29 laptop computers from a middle school and selling them on the McNeese State University campus.

Buchholz then transferred to Angelina College.

In 2005, while competing for the Roadrunners, Buchholz appeared in 15 games, winning 12 and losing 1.

He was also named an All-American in 2005.

Buchholz was drafted by the Red Sox in the supplemental first round of the 2005 draft.

Buchholz made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2007.

Buchholz started his first spring training game in 2007 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

He pitched 4 2⁄3 innings, gave up seven hits and three runs, and recorded three strikeouts.

While competing for the Portland Sea Dogs in 2007, Buchholz played in fifteen games, winning seven and losing two.

His success led to his selection for the All-Star Futures Game at AT&T Park.

Buchholz was promoted to the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Red Sox, on July 8, 2007.

He finished the Triple-A season with a 1–3 record while recording 55 strikeouts, 13 walks, and a 3.96 era over eight starts in 38 2⁄3 Triple-A innings.

Buchholz made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 17, 2007, at Fenway Park.

The Sox won the game 8–4 and he picked up the win, going six innings and giving up four runs (three earned).

After the game, however, Buchholz was optioned to the Sox' Triple-A team in Pawtucket.

"I got my feet wet", he said to a reporter.

"I hope I can come back in September and help out."

Before Buchholz' first major league start, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said: "This kid can come up and pitch a no-hitter, and he's going to go back down... If he throws a no-hitter I may send him back with a present. But he's going back."

In only his second career major league start on September 1, 2007, he became the first Boston Red Sox rookie to throw a no-hitter when he blanked the Baltimore Orioles 10–0.

He threw 115 pitches, struck out nine, walked three, and hit Nick Markakis.

After the game, Buchholz told the media, "It's amazing. That's all I can say… I'm in a blur right now."

His 1.05 ERA, seven complete games, and 129 strikeouts all stand as team records (through the 2010 season).

Buchholz became the 11th Red Sox pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Fenway Park history, and the 17th in Red Sox history.

Following the game, general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona each independently confirmed that they had spoken by phone to each other in the seventh and eighth innings concerning Buchholz' pitch count.

He had not thrown more than 98 pitches in a game all year, and was threatening to significantly exceed that total if he finished the game.

Epstein reported that in no way would Buchholz have been allowed to face a batter after reaching 120 pitches, expressing concern about excessive pitches potentially damaging such a young and inexperienced arm.

Buchholz finished the game with 115 pitches, allowing Francona to escape what would have been an unpleasant decision to remove a pitcher from the game in which he was throwing a no-hitter.

Buchholz' no-hitter was the third of a record-setting four caught by Jason Varitek.