Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

July 19, 2012

Ross supplies offense, Doubront the pitching

Boston's Cody Ross backs Felix Doubront's pitching with two three-run homers to beat the White Sox, 10-1.

The Associated Press

BOSTON - 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 Wednesday night, carrying the Boston Red Sox to a 10-1 victory against the Chicago White Sox.

"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."

The first four batters in the order were a combined 10 for 15 with nine runs and 10 RBI through six innings.

Ross did his damage in Ortiz's customary No. 3 place in the order. Ortiz is on the DL.

"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.

Doubront has benefited from Boston's offense. 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 2 of 3 in the four-game series that ends tonight.

Kevin Youkilis of Chicago went 1 for 4 in his third game against his former team of 71/2 seasons. He was traded June 24 to the White Sox.

The 24-year old Doubront (10-4) joined Jon Lester as the only Red Sox to have double-digit 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 1-1 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.

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