Athletics at Red Sox
During spring training, the Boston Red Sox had a spot in their starting rotation to fill. Veteran right-handers Aaron Cook and Vicente Padilla were possibilities, but manager Bobby Valentine decided to give Felix Doubront a shot. The young left-hander hasn’t let anyone down and will try for his fifth effective start in five outings when the Red Sox host the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Boston is 3-1 in Doubront’s starts, with the only blemish a 15-9 loss to the Yankees on April 21 when the Red Sox blew a 9-1 lead after six innings.
The Athletics counter with Jarrod Parker, the prize pickup in a five-player deal with saw Oakland send Trevor Cahill to Arizona in the off-season. Parker has made two career starts – both quality outings.
While the Red Sox continue to click on offense following their 11-6 victory over Oakland on Monday, the Athletics continue to struggle at the plate. Oakland has an American League-low 67 runs in 23 games – only Pittsburgh is worse with 58.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (0-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (1-0, 4.09)
Parker scattered seven hits and struck out five in 6 1/3 innings in his season debut Wednesday in the Athletics’ 5-4 victory over the White Sox in 14 innings. The 23-year-old was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Diamondbacks. He made one start last season – 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Dodgers – and a relief appearance against the Brewers in the National League Division Series.
Doubront has pitched at least five innings in each start and allowed three runs and five hits in six innings in the Red Sox’ 10-3 victory over the White Sox at Chicago on Thursday. Doubront has allowed 22 hits with 22 strikeouts in 22 innings after a season-low two strikeouts against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. David Ortiz capped the best April of his career with two home runs Monday and leads the American League with a .405 average. He has six homers and 20 RBIs, and is a red-hot 19-for-35 at Fenway Park.
2. Ortiz’s 38th career multi-homer game was his 36th with Boston, one shy of Ted Williams’ club record.
3. Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis was a late scratch from Monday’s lineup with a stiff back, which also sidelined him for Sunday’s game. He has missed four of the first 22 games with a variety of ailments, including a groin injury.