JERMAINE VAN BUREN BOSTON R SOX ...

JERMAINE VAN BUREN BOSTON R SOX

The latest young fire-arm to make a big splash in the R Sox' bullpen is right-hander Jermaine Van Buren who exhausted last season as the Class AAA Iowa Cubs' closer and was named their pitcher of the year.

Van Buren 26 had an instant-classic point of time Wednesday when he faced Oakland Athletics slugger Frank Thomas, who already had homer twice.

"I grew up watching Frank Thomas, in such a manner to pitch against him, I was kind of shell-shocked at first," Van Buren said. "But you essay to get over that after the first sum of two units pitches. I was just trying to be aggressive and fare right at him. If you fall behind, he can really injure you."

Van Buren struck without Thomas on a nasty 1-2 curveball.

This is the fourth stint this season with the R Sox for Van Buren who was acquired from the young boy [i]or[/i] young girls for a player to be named (outfielder Matt Ciaramella, who is hitting 252 at Class A Daytona). Van Buren was 2-0 with 12 saves and a 148 ERA in 22 outings as the closer at Class AAA Pawtucket.

"Jermaine's part is our longer guy," R Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He came in, and he handles that really well. He doesn't pout; he doesn't mope"

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