CLEVELAND - Thank you for your support.

Matt Clement is not running for office. The Butler native just feels like saying that to his teammates as he continues ringing up victories for his employer, the Boston Red Sox.

Clement is in the running to make his first appearance in the All-Star Game as well.

"All I'm interested in is staying in shape to make my 30 to 35 starts and pitch into October," the 30-year-old right-hander said. "I'm only aware I have a shot at the All-Star Game because people keep asking me about it."

That's because his numbers - 8-1 with a 3.48 earned run average through 15 starts - have kept the defending World Series champions in the American League Eastern Division race.

"I don't know where we'd be without him," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "Matt's been our guy. With the injuries (to Curt Schilling and David Wells), there's been even more pressure on him to produce as a free agent.

"To me, that makes his performance that much more impressive. And I don't see him slowing down anytime soon."

"For me, those two guys going down was like last year when (Kerry) Wood and (Mark) Prior went down in Chicago," Clement said. "I took the same approach of just pitching my game and not trying to do too much. You have to stay within yourself."

Clement is thankful for the support of his teammates, who average 6.2 runs per game each time he takes the mound.

That's a far cry from the 2.6 runs per game the Cubs averaged while Clement posted a 9-13 record for Chicago last season.

"It's not about the won-loss record," Red Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace said. "The whole team has a hand in producing that.

"We knew Matt's been throwing well for a long time. All I've done with him are a few minor things that any pitching coach would have done with him."

Clement agreed.

"I have no problem with Chicago," Clement said. "The guys worked hard for me there. They pressed when I was pitching because they tried so hard to get me some runs. It was one of those things.

"But pitching for this lineup … there's not a weak bat here from one through nine. Jason Varitek's hitting .320 with 12 homers and bats seventh at times. Bill Mueller won a batting title two years ago and hits eighth.

"All I do is go out, relax and pitch. Our runs are gonna come. They almost always do," Clement added.

When Clement arrived in Boston, he was thankful Varitek didn't leave. Also a free agent this past off-season, Varitek signed a four-year contract to stay in Boston and was named the Red Sox's first team captain since Jim Rice (1989).

"Jason Varitek is the best catcher in baseball," Clement said. "There's no doubt about that. He takes so much pride in his defense, blocking bad pitches and calling a good game.

"He could go 4-for-4, but if our starting pitcher struggled, he wouldn't be happy. He wants to take care of every pitcher on this staff."

Varitek said Clement still hasn't reached his full potential as a pitcher.

"He's on the right track, though," the catcher said. "I think we got him at the right time. He's still a young guy with a tremendous arm.

"As well as he's pitched - and believe me, we've needed him - Matt can still take his game up a couple of levels."

Clement leads the Red Sox in wins, innings pitched with 95

and strikeouts with 78.

He is second on the club in walks with 32 - behind knuckleballer Tim Wakefield's 39 - and is again among the league leaders with seven hit batsmen.

"Matt's fastball moves so much that he's going to hit some guys," Varitek said. "But his command is getting better and better. He's becoming consistent."

Wallace said Clement's relationship with Varitek has been a big reason for the former's immediate success in Boston.

"Those two developed a rapport with each other almost immediately," the coach said. "They respect each other so much.

"Matt Clement wants to learn as much about pitching and baseball as he possibly can, and Jason admires that work ethic. That's why they call it a battery. A pitcher and catcher have to work together."

Clement's approach to pitching hasn't changed. He still relies on his cut fastball and slider, though he said he's throwing his changeup more.

And he's throwing fewer pitches per game, which is keeping him in more games.

"That's something I set out to do this year," Clement said. "But it's not something you can consciously try to do in a game or it will mess you up.

"Over the course of the entire season, it just works out. When I need a strikeout in a situation or if I can get a strikeout, I'm going for a strikeout."

Pitching with the designated hitter rule in the American League, Clement's been to the plate just one time all year - in an interleague game.

He doesn't mind keeping his bats locked up.

"The DH rule has helped me," he admitted. "Not having to put a batting glove on or having to run out a ground ball and worry about grabbing a breather afterward, I don't miss that stuff.

"I can concentrate totally on pitching. That suits me just fine."

It suits the Red Sox as well.

"Matt's pitched outstanding baseball, and all I can say is, what a guy he is," Francona said. "He joined us as a new guy and fit right in. The other guys love him, the staff loves him, the clubhouse people love him.

"He's durable, determined and always wants to get better. He eats up innings and saves our bullpen. A manager can't ask for anything more.

"I hope he's in the All-Star Game. He belongs there," Francona added.

Despite winning the 2004 World Series, the Red Sox have undergone a lot of turnover. Of the 58 players in their spring training camp, 23 of them - or 40 percent - were newcomers.

"These guys won it all last year and they're still the hungriest group of players I've ever been around," Clement said. "That's what I like most about them.

"They had a taste of what ultimate success feels like and they want to get that taste back again. I'm all for that."

Here are a few notes on Butler native Matt Clement's 8-1 start with the Boston Red Sox:Boston has averaged 6.2 runs per game during Clement's 15 starts and scored 35 runs during his most recent three victories.The Red Sox have outscored the opposition 60-15 in Clement's eight victories.Clement is 5-0 in eight starts at Fenway Park.Clement was 4-0 with a 2.43 earned run average in six starts during the month of May.Clement was unbeaten in his first 12 starts this season.Clement allowed seven earned runs in two of his 15 starts this season. He has an ERA below 2.50 in his other 13 starts.Clement pitched a stretch of 50 consecutive innings without allowing a home run.Clement hiked his career record above .500 (77-76) with his win over the Pirates last weekend.Since 1998, opposing batters have hit for an average of .243 against Clement, 11th best in the major leagues during that stretch. He also is averaging 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings since 1998, seventh-best ratio in all of baseball.