The Sox’ Julio Lugo goes from second to third on a single by Jacoby Ellsbury that got past diving Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock in the fourth inning.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON — It was Sept. 1, 2007, when Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz threw a no-hitter in only his second major-league start, but that performance against the Orioles at Fenway Park has been tucked away in the memory bank for now.

Fast forward to the present. Still considered a rookie, the right-hander yesterday earned his first victory of the 2008 season as a starter. He worked six scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers and allowed only five hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. It was his third major-league victory overall. His second win came in a relief appearance last September.

He entered yesterday’s start, his fourth of the season, with a 0-1 record and a 3.27 ERA.

“I’ve faced adversity in just about every start I’ve thrown this year,” he said. “I felt a lot more comfortable today when there were people on base, for some reason. I don’t know what it was. I felt like I had four pitches working and I could throw them in any count, which helped a little bit.”

When he did find himself in a bit of trouble, he was able to work out of it unscathed, including a bases-loaded jam in the second inning.

“I thought he was more unpredictable in all counts,” said manager Terry Francona.

Buchholz pitched a season-high six innings and reached 103 pitches (68 for strikes) while keeping the Rangers off balance for much of the outing.

Buchholz and batterymate Kevin Cash knew going into the game that Texas would be swinging at a lot of first-pitch strikes. Even so, Buchholz was able to establish and command all of his pitches.

“He was unbelievable,” said Cash.

Lugo’s on a tear

Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo must have heard the footsteps. Ever since Jed Lowrie was called up from Pawtucket on April 10 to replace the injured Mike Lowell, Lugo has played well both defensively and at the plate. In every game Lowrie has played, he’s had a significant impact. Lugo, who struggled early, now has hit safely in seven games, going 12-for-48 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 steals and 4 runs scored. He went 4-for-4 with a walk yesterday to raise his average from .238 to .314. Francona said after the game he hopes Lugo can keep it going.

Gabbard leaves early

Yesterday’s pitching matchup between Buchholz and former Red Sox prospect Kason Gabbard should have been an interesting one. Unfortunately for the Rangers’ starter, who was part of the Sox’ trade to Texas last year that brought Eric Gagne to Boston, he left the game before the bottom of the third because of stiffness in his back.

Gabbard’s left foot slipped off the rubber as he prepared to throw a 2-and-0 pitch to Kevin Youkilis leading off the second. The left-hander remained in the game after being checked by manager Ron Washington and the training staff, but his command was off.

Gabbard walked three batters in the second, and also bounced a ball in the dirt for a wild pitch. He did not allow a run, however. Gabbard went back to the mound to warm up for the third inning as Dustin Nippert warmed up in the bullpen in case Gabbard couldn’t continue.

After throwing a few warmup pitches, Gabbard summoned Washington and the training staff and, after a brief discussion, left the game. Nippert took over.

Ellsbury still perfect

Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury continues to impress with his speed. The rookie stole two more bases yesterday and has eight for the season. He has swiped 17 bases in 17 attempts since joining the Red Sox last season to become the first player in team history to achieve that feat. The club’s single-season record is 54 steals, set by Tommy Harper in 1973.

Crisp not ready

Francona doesn’t think outfielder Coco Crisp (hamstring) needs to be placed on the disabled list, but he said that while the outfielder is “close” to returning, he’s still not ready. Francona added that he didn’t feel comfortable playing someone who isn’t quite ready because he doesn’t want to risk a setback.

So on Sunday, with the team out of outfielders in the late innings because of Manny Ramirez’s ejection and a pinch-hitting situation that sent Joe Thurston to the bench, Francona said he did not go to Crisp to ask him if he could play because he didn’t want Crisp to say “yes” out of a feeling of duty and then hurt his hamstring even worse.

Lowell making progress

Lowell (sprained left thumb) is likely to take batting practice on the field today. If he can do so without pain and without causing swelling in the thumb, he may be only a few days away from a rehab assignment in Pawtucket.

Rest for Ramirez

Even though Ramirez was tossed out of Sunday’s game in the second inning, Francona said that, while he thought about the situation, he decided not to alter his plan to give Manny yesterday off. He figured it wouldn’t be proper to change the plan because Ramirez had been looking forward to the day off and “we have a pretty good thing going with Manny right now.” So Ramirez rested and Francona used Thurston in left. . Thurston went 0-for-5, including three popups to third and one to the catcher.

jmcdonal@projo.com