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FELIX DOUBRONT |
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Felix Doubront blanks
the Diamondbacks on five hits
August 4, 2013 ...
This Red Sox team, backed by a grind-it-out approach, keeps winning games and series. This was one of those days that manager John Farrell's team did both, downing the D-backs, 4-0, in the rubber match
of a three-game series. Boston (68-45) leads the Major Leagues with 23 series wins. And yes, the Rays did win yet again. So the Red Sox, despite their strong play, still lead the AL East by just one game.
Lefty starter Felix Doubront, one of the many key contributors to this team, fired seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out five. In fact, Doubront's consistent excellence mirrors that of his team. He has given up three earned runs
or less in 15 straight starts, not to mention 19 of 20 on the season.
Victorino, who embodies the toughness of the 2013 Red Sox, twisted into the wall like a pretzel in pursuit of a foul ball that he didn't catch earlier in the game. He launched himself into the grandstand a few feet in front of the Pesky Pole in pursuit of a ball
off the bat of Arizona's A.J. Pollock, splaying his body in cringe-inducing fashion. He didn't make the grab, but he certainly left an impression and a few bruises on his left hip. Instead of exiting the game, the switch-hitter merely hit right-handed
for the rest of the day, getting hit by two pitches and belting a pair of singles.
That type of all-out effort has become indicative of these Red Sox, who don't know when to quit, as evidenced by their major league-best 11 walkoff wins. Bridge year? What bridge year? Somebody forgot to tell them they were supposed to be a place-holder team, not
a first-place holding team. These guys are the Dirt Dogs Redux, and nobody likes getting dirtier and diving around more than Victorino, a fast-talking, fearless outfielder.
Stephen Drew, who has warmed up of late, went 2-for-3 and scored twice.
The day started quietly. After getting no-hit for 3 2/3 innings, Mike Carp belted a single to center with two outs in the fourth. In the fifth, the Sox put together a full-fledged rally. Drew and Brock Holt led off with singles, putting runners at the
corners with nobody out. Jacoby Ellsbury got the first run of the game home on a sacrifice fly to center. After a single up the middle by Victorino, Pedroia ripped an RBI double into the left-field corner to make it a 2-0 game. An inning later, the Sox
caught a break. Ellsbury hit a routine fly ball that right fielder Gerardo Parra never saw, and it fell in for an RBI single. Victorino smoked an RBI single to give Doubront a 4-0 edge.
That was plenty for Doubront. |
