BOSTON -- Anybody else wondering why Clay Buchholz keeps utilizes those no-look spin moves for pickoff throws to first when the runners are standing directly on the first base bag. The 25-year-old rookie did it three times by my count in Monday night’s game, and actually ended up with a throwing error when his toss sailed high on an attempt to nail Scott Podsednik in the fateful fifth inning.

The problem: Podesdnik was standing directly on the first base bag.

The second problem: the first Buchholz pick-off throws were with Paul Konerko anchored to first base without any real danger of the slugging ChiSox first baseman going anywhere.

Buchholz admitted after the game that the throws to first base are something he’s been working to cut out of his pitching mindset on the mound, and it’s something of a purposeful mechanism that helps the youngster slow the game down. Buchholz uses the tosses to first as something of a crutch to help him collect his thoughts on the mound when he’s not ready to throw the next pitch in a game.

The inability to command all of his pitches in Monday night’s fitful 4 2/3 inning performance with seven runs allowed coupled with the fact that hitters were all over his changeup are both problems consistent with a young hurler continuing to develop.

And so apparently are the subliminal throws to first base for Buchholz, who continues to fight growing pains at a time when the Red Sox can ill afford them while fighting for an AL Wild Card spot.

Here’s a spot from last night’s media discussion when Buchholz addressed the throws over to first base:
 
The error with Podsednik on first base
CB: “I got a little disoriented right before that play. I wanted to pick over about five seconds earlier and I never did. I sort of got caught up in the mix right there. I’ve been able to limit the throws over there from the past years. I can’t really let that affect me, but the guy didn’t score and that’s the good part about it.

I know that (Podsednik) can run. You want to always keep him close. The first time he got on he stole, and you don’t want them going a lot and taking a free bag.

Has Buchholz been trying to get away from the throws to first base when the runner is already standing on the bag without a lead? CB: I think it’s been more of a nervous habit (in the past) to throw over there, and I think I’ve got a little bit more of an idea on how to hold runners on and do all that stuff. It might have been a little bit of a relapse where the game might have got going a little too fast and I knew what I wanted to do, but I just didn’t execute it the way I wanted to.

What can you do to cut down on the extra throws to first going forward? CB: I guess the worst thing that could ever happen to me would have been to pick a few runners off (during spring training). If you have a good move you need to use it at the right times for it to be good.

I think you still need to pick the right time to throw over there, and that’s something I’ve got to learn. Sometimes it is (the right time). Whenever I come to the set and throw over, (the call) is coming from the dugout. The quick spin move (to first) is pretty much always coming from me.