Red Sox down Yankees behind an effective Doubront.

Felix Doubront may be the Red Sox’ fourth starter, but he has been pitching like he belongs nearer the top of the rotation for weeks now.

Jul 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront delivers against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Doubront came up big for Boston, steering the Sox to a 4-2 win in the opening volley of a 3-game set against the Bronx Bombers. The Venezuelan lefty gave the Red Sox 6 1/3 innings of three hit ball, surrendering two runs (one unearned) while walking three and striking out five. This was Doubront’s twelfth straight start in which he has surrendered three runs or less, lowering his ERA to 3.76 on the year.

This time out Doubront managed to hold an upstart Yankees team in check, squaring off against one of the best left handers in the game, Andy Pettitte.

The Red Sox were able to best Pettitte, tagging him for six hits and four runs in his own 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Jacoby Ellsbury kicked things off early, leading off the bottom half of the first with a solo shot that rocketed over the New York bullpen and into the bleachers.

Jonny Gomes followed suit in the second, launching a two run shot to score Mike Napoli, who had walked to lead off the inning. Gomes’ home run quickly buried the Yanks in an early 3-0 hole and put the Sox ahead for the rest of the night.

Jul 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) is congratulated by third base coach Brian Butterfield (13) as he rounds the bases after his home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Doubront worked a no hitter into the fifth, allowing only a walk to Brett Gardner, who stole second, and later scored when Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s attempt to catch him swiping third sailed into left field. Doubront would get into trouble in the fifth, as Lyle Overbay led off the inning with a double, and later scored on a two-out, RBI double from Chris Stewart.

Gomes struck again in the seventh, knocking a ground rule double down the right field line. Jose Iglesias then hit a clutch RBI single to bring Gomes home and put Boston up by the final score of 4-2.

Craig Breslow escaped a two on, one out jam in the eighth before handing things over to Koji Uehara to close out the ninth. Uehara shut down the Yankees to pick up his ninth save on the year.