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FELIX DOUBRONT |
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Felix Doubront pitches a great
game, but Quintana is better
May 21, 2013 ...
David Ortiz laced a single to center to spoil Jose Quintana's bid at becoming the first pitcher to hold Boston hitless since April 22, 1993. Though Ortiz's single was the first of three straight against Quintana, it wasn't enough to fuel a comeback. Instead, Boston suffered a second
straight frustrating loss to the White Sox, this one by a score of 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field.
One inning later, when Big Papi had a chance to tie the game or put the Red Sox ahead, he instead hit into a double play against White Sox reliever Matt Lindstrom that wound up being a backbreaker. Down, 2-0, after seven, Jarrod Saltalamacchia (walk) and
Jacoby Ellsbury (single) started what seemed to be a promising rally. The runners moved to second and third on a wild pitch. With one out, Dustin Pedroia hit a ground ball through the legs of White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez and Saltalamacchia scored to
make it a one-run game. Ortiz swung at Lindstrom's first pitch and hit a grounder to Paul Konerko, who started the 3-6-3 inning-ending double play.
But the other lefty, the one who started for the White Sox, was the bigger story. After Ortiz ended the no-hitter, Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava followed with singles. Boston had the bases loaded with one out. Chicago manager Robin Ventura then
went to his bullpen, as righty Jesse Crain came on to face Will Middlebrooks. Hot of late, Middlebrooks didn't come through this time. Instead, he struck out on a pitch that was out of the strike zone. Stephen Drew also struck out, and Boston remained
in a 2-0 hole.
The positive development of the night for Boston was the work of Felix Doubront, who turned in perhaps his best outing of the season. The lefty gave up five hits and two runs over six innings. He walked two and struck out three, throwing 85 pitches. As the
Red Sox were being no-hit into the seventh inning by Jose Quintana, Doubront was able to keep them within a few swings. While the Red Sox were getting stifled by Quintana, Doubront was turning in just the type of performance Farrell was hoping for. The
White Sox finally got to the lefty in the fifth. Dayan Viciedo's two-out single was just the second hit of the game for Chicago. Up stepped Jeff Keppinger, who drilled a two-run homer to left to break the scoreless tie.
Shane Victorino, who strained his left hamstring Monday, did not play. It was the 12th game he has missed this season because of injury. David Ross, who is on the disabled list with a concussion, had a full day of working out in Boston. He'll play in a rehab
game or two this weekend before he is activated. Daniel Bard has not pitched for Double A Portland since May 15. He remains on the roster but has been shut down and is throwing in the bullpen to try and solve his ongoing control problems. The Red Sox are
sending Jason Varitek as their representative to the amateur draft on June 6 in Secaucus, N.J. The Sox have the seventh overall pick. Varitek, a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, has helped scout players near his home in Georgia in advance of
the draft. |
