Doubront And Offense Roll For Easy Win Vs M’s

On a night after the Red Sox bullpen was forced to work overtime, the Red Sox needed their starter to go deep into the game. Felix Doubront answered the call. The big lefty would go seven innings, allowed one run and seven base runners (five hits and two walks) while striking out six in a lopsided 11-4 win over the Mariners.

Jul 10, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (22) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the 2nd inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Doubront shut the M’s out for the first six innings and never really got himself into trouble. At least not until the seventh, when old friend Jason Bay led off with a double and eventually scored on a single by Henry Blanco.

Prospect Brandon Workman made his major league debut in relief of Doubront and would pitch both the eighth and ninth innings. His first batter faced, light-hitting shortstop Brendan Ryan, took Workman deep for a solo home run. He would also give up two more runs and three doubles (Dustin Ackley, Kendrys Morales, and Justin Smoak). Despite having a very rough first inning pitched, Workman did also record two strikeouts in the inning.

Workman was able to put the bad inning behind him his next time out as he pitched a scoreless ninth while recording two more strikeouts. Overall, a mixed bag for a debut. There’s a lot to like about this kid. Hopefully he emerges as a legit power right-handed reliever for this bullpen is desperate need of a boost.

Seattle starter Aaron Harang had no answer for the Sox offense. He was tagged for seven earned runs in only five innings. The star for the offense last night was David Ortiz. Ortiz would go two for three with a home run, a double, and three RBI. He made a little history in the process.

Every other team in the AL East won last night. So the Red Sox remain three and a half games ahead of Tampa Bay, five and a half ahead of Baltimore, six ahead of New York, and 10.5 ahead of Toronto.

Last night’s win assured the Sox of nothing less than a sweep. Ryan Dempster will attempt to make it a series win as he opposes Erasmo Ramirez this afternoon.