After a disappointing first half in his first year with Boston, two-time All-Star Walker Buehler has started the second half strong, posting a 2.86 ERA with 12 strikeouts in four appearances to help fuel the team’s late-season push.

Back in Southern California, Walker Buehler looked more like his old self as the Red Sox opened a six-game road trip with a win in San Diego.

The Red Sox handed Pivetta one of his worst starts of the season, scoring five runs against their former workhorse en route to a 10-2 win in Friday’s series opener. Boston scored four runs in the top of the fourth to seize control and Connor Wong blew the game open with a three-run double in the eighth.