Red Sox turn to Bard in opener with White Sox

Daniel Bard returns to Boston's rotation this evening when the Red Sox continue a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Bard was put back into the bullpen earlier this week and actually picked up his first win of the season in relief on Monday when he got two key outs in the eighth inning against Minnesota.

"It was the same thing I've done for the last few years," Bard said. "I mean, it's a little weird just being out there just because I haven't done it this year yet. It's like riding a bike. I had a pretty well-established routine the last three years, four years. It was pretty easy to get back into it."

In two starts this season Bard was 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA in two starts this season.

Chicago, meanwhile, will hand the ball to lefty John Danks, who has alternated wins and losses to start the season. Danks earned a win on Sunday in Seattle, as he gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings to run his record to 2-2 to go along with a 5.11 ERA.

"Like I said, it's a good win," Danks said after that one. "Wasn't pretty, but a win's a win at the end of the day."

Danks has faced the Red Sox seven times and is 3-4 with a 4.14 ERA against them.

Chicago will need a better effort from him tonight than it received from Philip Humber in Thursday's 10-3 loss to the Red Sox.

On the heels of his perfect game on Saturday, Humber gave up nine runs on eight hits, including a grand slam to Kevin Youkilis, in the opener of this four-game series.

"I left a lot pitches up over the plate and a team like that, they are gonna make you pay for it," said Humber. "Overall it was just a bad job of executing."

Jarrod Saltalamacchia added a pair of homers and Felix Doubront (1-0) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings for Boston, which has won four in a row after a five-game losing streak.

"I like it when he's on the mound," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said of Doubront. "He throws stuff that's hard to hit when it's on the corners."

Dayan Viciedo hit a solo home run and Paul Konerko had an RBI double for the White Sox, losers of three straight.

Chicago took four of six from the Red Sox last season.