FelixDoubront
| SEASON | CAREER |
| W9 | 11 |
| L4 | 6 |
| G17 | 40 |
| IP96.0 | 131.0 |
| BB35 | 53 |
| SO97 | 126 |
| SEASON | CAREER |
| W9 | 11 |
| L4 | 6 |
| G17 | 40 |
| IP96.0 | 131.0 |
| BB35 | 53 |
| SO97 | 126 |
The Fenway Park faithful showed plenty of appreciation for Kevin Youkilis when he left Boston and again when he returned to town with the Chicago White Sox this week.
It's quickly become clear, though, that he's not helping the home team anymore.
Youkilis looks to continue haunting his former Red Sox teammates on Wednesday night as the White Sox turn to left-hander Pedro Hernandez for his major league debut.
After struggling with Boston (46-45) in 2012 and losing the starting third base job to rookie Will Middlebrooks , Youkilis was traded to Chicago on June 24.
The change of scenery seems to have rejuvenated him. The veteran is batting .319 with 18 RBIs in 18 games since joining the White Sox, and has elevated his performance even more in his return to Fenway.
Youkilis got a standing ovation before his first at-bat Monday and has since gone 4 for 8 with three extra-base hits, including a three-run homer Tuesday in Chicago's 7-5 win, which evened the four-game set.
"He's just showing off, just rising to the occasion for us and being in big spots," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think there's something when you get traded, there's something to prove and that all goes into it with a lot of people that's happened to. Coming back here, not that he says anything, but it's nice for him to get in those situations and come through."
The first-place White Sox (50-40) are 12-6 with Youkilis in the lineup, averaging 5.5 runs in that stretch.
Their rotation has a few more question marks with John Danks still out and Gavin Floyd now on the disabled list, leading them to give Hernandez the ball for the first time.
The 23-year-old Hernandez was one of two prospects acquired from San Diego for Carlos Quentin on Dec. 31. He's 7-2 with a 2.90 ERA over two minor league stops this season.
"We go through spring training and he and (standout rookie Jose Quintana ) were kind of in the same role," Ventura told the White Sox's official website. "So you're hoping to catch lightning twice."
It's possible Hernandez won't be in the majors long, with Floyd eligible to return from the DL in time for his next turn in the rotation.
He'll at least get an opportunity to face Venezuelan countryman and fellow left-hander Felix Doubront , who has a chance to become Boston's first 10-game winner.
The Red Sox have won nine of the last 12 times Doubront (9-4, 4.41 ERA) has taken the mound, and he beat the New York Yankees in his most recent start July 7. Part of his success can be credited to the majors' highest run-support average - he's getting nearly eight runs per nine innings - but he also has 97 strikeouts in 96 innings for the AL's fifth-best ratio.
Youkilis has never faced Doubront, but he's 8 for 24 with three homers and 10 walks for Chicago against left-handed pitching, going deep off Jon Lester on Tuesday.
Boston's lineup has been heavy with lefty hitters throughout this series, and Dustin Pedroia isn't expected to return until Thursday. Outfielder Cody Ross , batting .306 with seven homers in 62 at-bats versus southpaws, figures to be back in the lineup Wednesday.
David Ortiz (Achilles) is out at least a few more days, but Carl Crawford has provided a boost for Boston since making his season debut Monday. He has four hits and four runs in two games and stole three bases Tuesday.
| HITTERS | AB | AVG | H | HR | RBI | BB | SO | OBP | OPS | SLG |
| Gordon Beckham | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Alejandro De Aza | 3 | .333 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | 1.000 | .667 |
| Adam Dunn | 1 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .667 | .000 |
| Paul Konerko | 3 | .333 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | 1.000 | .667 |
| Brent Morel | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| A.J. Pierzynski | 2 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 1.167 | .500 |
| Alexei Ramirez | 2 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .000 |
| Alex Rios | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Dayan Viciedo | 3 | .667 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .667 | 2.334 | 1.667 |
Chicago White Sox |
|||
| Date | Player | Status | Injury |
| July 08, 2012 | Gavin Floyd | 15-Day DL | Right elbow tendinitis |
| June 29, 2012 | Kevin Youkilis | Day-to-Day | Left game - upset stomach |
| June 25, 2012 | Brian Bruney | 15-Day DL | Left hip inflammation |
| June 24, 2012 | Jesse Crain | 15-Day DL | Right shoulder inflammation |
| June 17, 2012 | Philip Humber | 15-Day DL | Right elbow flexor strain |
| June 17, 2012 | Philip Humber | 15-Day DL | Right elbow flexor strain |
Boston Red Sox |
|||
| Date | Player | Status | Injury |
| July 14, 2012 | Scott Atchison | 15-Day DL | Right forearm tightness |
| July 04, 2012 | Dustin Pedroia | Day-to-Day | Jammed right thumb |
| July 04, 2012 | Dustin Pedroia | 15-Day DL | Jammed right thumb |
| July 03, 2012 | Daisuke Matsuzaka | 15-Day DL | Neck injury |
| June 20, 2012 | Clay Buchholz | 15-Day DL | Gastro-intestinal illness |
| June 20, 2012 | Clay Buchholz | 15-Day DL | Gastro-intestinal illness |
BOSTON (AP) -- Cody Ross looked pretty comfortable and very productive hitting in David Ortiz 's usual spot in the lineup.
Ross hit three-run homers in consecutive innings and Felix Doubront pitched six solid innings, carrying the Boston Red Sox to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
"When you have the guys on base and you have the heart of the order coming up, that puts a lot of pressure on the pitcher," Ross said. "Any time you lose a David Ortiz it's tough to make up for. No one can replace David Ortiz , he's one of the best hitters in the game."
On the day Boston put Ortiz on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right Achilles, the first four batters in the order were a combined 10-for-15 with nine runs and 10 RBIs through six innings.
Ross did his damage in Ortiz's customary No. 3 place in the order.
"We've been scoring runs with guys on the disabled list and different lineups," Boston manager Bobby Valentine said.
The Red Sox moved past Texas with the high-scoring night and lead the majors in runs scored.
Doubront has benefited from Boston's offensive outbursts this season. The Red Sox have averaged 8.38 runs per nine innings in his starts.
"It's amazing," he said. "They're doing a good job to help me."
Adrian Gonzalez added a solo homer and drove in four runs, and Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits for Boston.
Paul Konerko had an RBI single and walked twice for the White Sox, who lost for the fourth time in 12 games.
The Red Sox have won two of three in the four-game series, which concludes Thursday night.
Chicago's Kevin Youkilis went 1-for-4 in his third game against his former team of 7 1-2 seasons. He was traded to the White Sox on June 24.
The 24-year old Doubront (10-4) joined Jon Lester as the only Red Sox to have double-digits wins in a season at 24 or younger since Roger Clemens in 1987. Clemens was 20-9 at 24 and Lester was 24 when he won 16 in 2008.
Left-hander Pedro Hernandez took the loss in his major league debut, giving up eight runs and 12 hits - three homers - in four-plus innings, walking one and striking out two.
"Just one of those days. He's got good stuff, though," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think that's one of the things, you see pieces of it in there, pitches he was making in other counts. He'll grow from it, learn."
After the game Hernandez was sent back to Triple-A Charlotte. The club called up left-hander Donnie Veal from Charlotte to take his place.
Ross broke a 1-all tie with his homer in the third. Ellsbury and Carl Crawford opened the inning with singles before Ross hit a drive into the seats above the Green Monster.
With Boston leading 4-1 in the fourth, Ross hit another shot into the Monster seats after Pedro Ciriaco and Ellsbury singled. One pitch later, Gonzalez lofted a drive into the first row of seats in left, making it 8-1.
"Obviously, Cody Ross had a big night there," Konerko said. "Got a couple pitches to hit and didn't miss them."
Doubront allowed one run and four hits in six innings with three walks and two strikeouts. Three relievers held Chicago hitless in the final three innings.
Chicago went ahead on Konerko's RBI single in the first, but Boston tied it in the bottom half on Gonzalez's run-scoring single.
The 23-year old Hernandez was 7-2 in Double-A and pitched two games for Charlotte before getting the start.
NOTES: Ross had his 10th career multihomer, third this season. ... First baseman Konerko played his 2,000 career game - all in a White Sox uniform and third-most in club history. Nellie Fox is next with 2,115. "He'll get his number retired (with Chicago)," Ventura said. "No way around it." ... Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia , on the DL with strained right thumb, is eligible to return on Thursday. Valentine had a funny line to show how eager the infielder was: "He said he was ready about four days ago." ... Ventura said Philip Humber will start on Sunday and Dylan Axelrod will go to the bullpen. ... The White Sox optioned RHP Jhan Marinez to Charlotte to make room for Hernandez. ... Chicago's Alejandro De Aza's bat shattered and went flying into the stands about six rows behind the Red Sox on-deck circle and a male fan appeared to get a slight cut on the cheek. ... Ciriaco stole third in the fourth but was waved back by home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez, who interfered with catcher A.J. Pierzynski while he was throwing.