BOSTONBefore Sundays series finale against the Orioles at Fenway Park, manager Bobby Valentine was asked if this had been an important season for left-hander Felix Doubront.
I certainly hope that this has established him in his mind and the mind of others that hes a bona fide starting pitcher in the major leagues, Valentine responded.
Doubront responded by no-hitting the Orioles through four innings, and establishing a new career high with 11 strikeouts. Doubront didnt get the win, but the Red Sox did, beating the Os, 2-1, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Doubront went seven innings, matching his season high, giving up one run on four hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts. It was just the second double-digit strikeout outing by a Sox pitcher this season, along with Jon Lesters 12-strikeout win in Cleveland on Aug. 12.
Doubront left with the score tied, 1-1.
The Sox scored first, when Cody Ross led off the fourth with a single followed by a walk to James Loney from Orioles starter Chris Tillman. With one out Ross went to third on Danny Valencias fielders choice, scoring on a throwing error by Os second baseman Robert Andino.
The Os tied the score in fifth when Lew Ford, Chris Davis, and Manny Machado opened the inning with consecutive hits, the first Doubront allowed in the game.
Boston Red Sox
The Sox took the lead in the eighth off Os reliever Luis Ayala as Dustin Pedroia and Cody Ross led off with back-to-back doubles.
Junichi Tazawa pitched a perfect eighth,e arning the win. He improved to 1-1 with a 1.54 ERA.
Andrew Bailey earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth, but it was not without adventure. Bailey loaded the bases with one out before getting Manny Machado to ground into fielder's choice, as James Loney threw home for the force out, then striking out pinch-hitter Ryan Flaherty, looking, to end the game.
Ayala took the loss for the Os.