Apr 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (22) looks on as Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos (61) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Felix Doubront sailed through a seven-pitch second inning, only to be beaten up in the third.
The wheels utterly came off in that third inning, led by a massive Robinson Chirinos home run over the Monster and then Shin-Soo Choo followed with a double. Up 1-0, the Rangers’ onslaught continued as Doubront gave up hits all over the ballpark. Prince Fielder hit an RBI double to right that bounded over the head of Mike Napoli at first and was then brought home by an Adrian Beltre single. After an Alex Rios single, Grady Sizemore then allowed a routine pop-up off of the bat of Donnie Murphy to turn into an RBI double as it skipped off of his glove.
Doubront ended his outing with two straight walks, one to load the bases and another to drive in the fifth run of the third inning.
In relief of Doubront, Burke Badenhop did not fare any better, giving up four additional runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched. The only bright spot on the night was Brandon Workman‘s impressive outing. The 25-year-old gave up only one run on two hits through four innings of relief. Unfortunately for Workman, he was swiftly optioned to Pawtucket to clear the way for rehabbing lefty, Craig Breslow.
Offensively, not much went right for Boston as the lead off man reached base in the first seven innings, only to ground into double plays in five of those frames. The starting nine did manage to pull Boston within three, thanks to three runs in the seventh and another three in the home half of the ninth. A.J. Pierzynski, Grady Sizemore and Mike Napoli all managed to tally three hits against Texas and new addition Ryan Roberts, while hitless, picked up two walks on the night.