Felix Doubront tries to shake off one of the worst outings of his career on Wednesday when he returns to the hill for the Boston Red Sox in the third test of a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park.
Doubront suffered his first loss of the season on Friday in Texas and was rocked for six runs and 12 hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work, as he dropped to 3-1 to go along with a 5.67 ERA.
"It was one of those games where I tried my best but nothing happened," said Doubront, who did not get a decision in his only other start against the Twins. "You just put this game behind and move forward."
Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Pedro Hernandez, who is 1-0 with a 3.92 ERA. Hernandez did not get a decision on Friday in Cleveland, but was not sharp, as he allowed five runs and eight hits with four walks in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-6 loss.
"I made some mistakes with my pitches," Hernandez said. "I was a little high with my offspeed stuff, so they were able to get to it."
Hernandez lost to the Red Sox last season as a member of the Chicago White Sox in his only other meeting with them.
Minnesota evened this series at a game apiece on Tuesday, as Ryan Doumit finished with two hits, including a solo homer, and scored twice to help the Twins to a 6-1 triumph.
Joe Mauer added two hits and an RBI, with Justin Morneau, Trevor Plouffe and Wilkin Ramirez each driving in a run for the Twins, who dropped a 6-5 decision in 11 innings in Monday's opener and won for only the third time in their last eight.
Scott Diamond (3-2) worked seven scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out two without issuing a walk.
"I was able to work down for the most part and keep guys back off the plate so I could expand (the zone) away," Diamond said.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia's ninth-inning homer stood as the lone offense for the Red Sox, who have lost four of their last five.
Ryan Dempster (2-3) allowed five hits and four runs -- two earned -- with eight strikeouts over his seven-plus frames.
"Very good outing by Ryan Dempster," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of his starter. "Unfortunately not much to show for it on our end."
David Ortiz also extended his hitting streak to 27 games. He is hitting .423 during the tear that dates back to July 2 of last season. Ortiz is hitting .414 in 15 games this season after returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the end of 2012.
Boston was 4-3 last season versus the Twins.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.