Buchholz not shutting down quite yet

ST. LOUIS -- Even if Clay Buchholz went out there with diminished stuff for Game 4 of the World Series, he still kept the Red Sox in a game that they eventually won, 4-2.

In fact, Buchholz plans on being ready to pitch again in this Fall Classic should his services be needed out of the bullpen.

Though he has been dealing with shoulder fatigue, Buchholz knows that, like all of his teammates, he will soon have weeks to rest up.

"He's already offered," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "So yes, he would be available. Based on the way he came out of last night, he even said it to me, 'I'll be in here tomorrow getting ready for the next possible opportunity'. But by no means has he shut anything down mentally or physically."

Buchholz's fastball was generally in the high 80s. That's not to say he couldn't add some more velocity in situations if he needed it.

"Even after the second inning, he came in and said, 'I haven't even tried to throw the ball hard yet', and he goes, 'I don't know that I'm going to.' I said, 'Well, based on what's happened, you don't need to. Just keep the ball down, like you're doing.'" said Farrell. "You know what? The guy's got such a feel to manipulate the baseball that even if he's lacking a weapon in power, he can make up for it with other ways. His cutter and his two-seamer were very effective last night."

The Red Sox pinch-hit for Buchholz in the fifth inning in Game 4, so he threw just 66 pitches.