Indians at Red Sox
When
the Boston Red Sox set their rotation and made Felix Doubront their No.
4 starter, few could have expected he would turn out to be their most
consistent pitcher. But the 24-year-old left-hander, while not
spectacular, has been exactly that as the Red Sox try for their second
straight victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday. Boston hasn’t
won two in a row overall since April 27-28 or at home since April 14-15.
Doubront has won two of his last three starts and the Red Sox are 4-2
in his outings.
Boston’s David Ortiz hopes Saturday is a better
day. He was involved in a minor car accident en route to Fenway Park and
left Friday’s game in the seventh inning with a sore left heel. He
appeared to suffer the injury hustling out an infield hit in the fifth
inning.
Cleveland has the best road record in the major leagues
at 10-4 despite Friday’s 7-5 loss. The Indians nearly erased a 7-1 lead,
but left the tying run on second. Cleveland (18-14) is 4-7 against
left-handed starters.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, STO, WKYC 3 (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (1-2, 4.67 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (2-1, 5.01)
Tomlin
allowed two runs, five hits and struck out a career-high eight in 7 1/3
innings in his last outing, but received a no-decision in Cleveland’s
3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday. Tomlin is 1-1 with a
4.50 ERA in three career starts against Boston. The Red Sox’ roster is
hitting .213 against Tomlin, with David Ortiz 0-for-8 and Jarrod
Saltalamacchia 3-for-4 with a homer an double.
Doubront defeated
Kansas City 11-5 on Monday in his last outing when he yielded five runs
(three earned) and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Doubront is 0-1 in
three starts at home this season, including a no-decision when the Red
Sox blew a 9-0 lead and lost 15-9 to the New York Yankees on April 21.
Doubront has never pitched against the Indians, but has faced Johnny
Damon (1-for-2) and Casey Kotchman (0-for-2).
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston’s Dustin Pedroia had three hits and three RBIs on Friday and has a 12-game hitting streak.
2. Cleveland’s Michael Brantley is 6-for-10 with four RBIs in the first two games of the series.
3. The Red Sox on Friday acquired Scott Podsednik from the Phillies for cash. Podsednik will report to Triple-A Pawtucket.