Red Sox keep slow-starting Buchholz in rotation

12:28 PM ET

BOSTON — Clay Buchholz will remain in the rotation, manager John Farrell announced Sunday, one day after the Red Sox right-hander again had early-inning struggles.

Buchholz gave up five runs — all in the first two frames — in six innings of Saturday’s 6-5 win over the Houston Astros as his ERA spiked to 6.11 through eight starts. He has surrendered eight home runs after giving up six in 18 starts a season ago and is sporting the worst strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.60) of his 10-year career.

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Farrell offered a quick “Yes” when asked whether Buchholz would stay in the rotation and later provided an explanation for his continued struggles.

“It’s not a matter of stuff. I wouldn’t say it’s pitch selection,” Farrell said. “It comes down to location, and that was the case yesterday, whether it’s throwing behind in counts, a walk mixed in or a pitch that leaks back …

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