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Watch: Buchholz allows HR on 1st pitch in return to rotation

Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Clay Buchholz received a rude welcoming back to the Boston Red Sox rotation Tuesday night.

Making his first start since May 26 after he was demoted to the bullpen, Buchholz grooved a first-pitch fastball over the middle of the plate that Chicago White Sox rookie Tim Anderson crushed over the Green Monster for his first career home run.

"When somebody jumps ship on you the first pitch of the game there's not a whole lot you can do about it," Buchholz told reporters following the game. "I'm worried about throwing a first-pitch strike right there, he put a good swing on it."

The Fenway faithful booed Buchholz immediately after he allowed a double to the next batter before eventually getting out of the inning trailing 2-0.

The 31-year-old would settle down and finish after five innings, allowing three runs off four hits and a walk while picking up five strikeouts. He took the loss in the 3-1 defeat.

"Well they smacked him in the face the first two pitches he threw," Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters. "But he did settle in. … I felt he kept the game under control."

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

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