Boston manager Terry Francona pulls Clay Buchholz in the third inning last night after another poor outing by the rookie starter.

AP / Nick Wass

BALTIMORE — Someday this season will be just a blur. It will be a brief moment in the career of Clay Buchholz that will be forgotten. His statistics will be forgotten.

At least that’s what the Red Sox are hoping for — maybe even praying for.

The rookie right-hander has struggled mightily this season, and just when management felt like Buchholz might have figured it out, he had an outing like last night in which he imploded once again.

The Orioles racked him for five runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings of work en route to an 11-6 victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore prevented a sweep of the three-game series with the win.

As a result of his struggles, Buchholz was optioned to Double-A Portland after last night’s game to work with Sea Dogs pitching coach Mike Cather, who has the most experience in the organization working with Buchholz.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona called this move a “renewed start” for Buchholz, who acknowledged something needs to be done.

“I’ve never been one to say that pressure is too much for me, but I’ve felt like I’ve had a lot of weight on my shoulders just trying to be perfect and trying to things as well as I could to help this team win. I knew a decision was coming and it had to be made soon. They have given me ample opportunity to help this team, and myself; it just hasn’t worked out.

“As close as this pennant race is now,” said Buchholz, “you have to send guys out there who you know will go out there and give you a win. I hate to say it was the right decision, but I believe it was.”

Last night’s outing was his shortest of the season. He threw only 60 pitches (30 for strikes) and his earned-run average ballooned to 6.75 in 15 starts. In fact, Boston is 3-12 this season when Buchholz has started.

“I’ve never had a streak like this, so it’s hard for me to describe what I’m going through,” he said. “It’s hard times right now.”

The original plan for this season — if the starting rotation remained healthy and intact — was for Buchholz to make more than the nine starts he has made at the Triple-A level, where he posted a 4-2 record. But because Curt Schilling’s season ended before it began due to an arm injury, and because Bartolo Colon has been on the disabled list three different times, Buchholz has been given more opportunities at the major-league level.

“People have tough games, I’ve had a tough year,” he said. “It’s hard to swallow right now.”

He’s been forced to continue his development at the big-league level. Unsuccessfully, as it has turned out.

“I put too much pressure on myself,” Buchholz said. “When I put one guy on base, it feels like the bases are loaded. Instead of gritting my teeth and saying, ‘Let’s get these guys out’ I’m thinking ‘Now what’s going to happen.’ I don’t have a very high confidence level and something has to change.”

Even when his offense gives him a lead to work with, he quickly surrenders the cushion. That’s exactly what happened last night.

Boston scored a total of four runs in the first two innings but then Buchholz crumbled.

The Orioles scored three runs in the bottom of the second and four in the bottom of the third — two allowed by Buchholz and two allowed by reliever David Aardsma — to take a 7-4 lead. Baltimore added three more in the bottom of the fourth inning when Sox reliever Javier Lopez surrendered a three-run homer to the Orioles’ Melvin Mora as Baltimore gained an 10-4 advantage.

Boston’s Jason Bay continued his hot streak at the plate. He crushed a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning before Baltimore pushed across another run in the home-half for an 11-5 lead. Bay has now hit safely in 16 of 18 games since joining the Red Sox at the trade deadline.

Boston scored a run in the top of the eighth when Jacoby Ellsbury ripped an RBI double, but that’s all the Sox’ offense could muster.

It wasn’t the end result that has cause for concern for the Red Sox. It’s the continual struggles of Buchholz.

Francona has said time and time again that the organization is not running away from this kid. He has said Buchholz will be a big part of the team’s future and Boston will give him the proper time to get there.

“We all believe strongly that this will work,” said Francona. “At the moment it’s difficult.”

Buchholz has watched video. He has watched more video. His mechanics have been tweaked. He’s had former Red Sox pitchers such as Bruce Hurst watch his bullpen sessions. None of it has seemed to work and his psyche must be hurting.

“It’s been rough, but everything happens for a reason,” said Buchholz.

Maybe he’s at a point of overdevelopment. Maybe his sensory input is overloaded.

All in all, the Red Sox remain confident Buchholz will eventually become the pitcher they think he can be. He’s only 24 and hasn’t had a full season at the major-league level, yet. There’s no doubting his talent, but his production and efficiency is definitely in question.

“It’s a tough situation,” said Francona. “We’re in the middle of a pennant race and we’re in Boston. There’s a lot of focus on him and he feels a responsibility. I’m proud of the way he’s acted. It was just pretty obvious we needed to do something.”

jmcdonal@projo.com