Doubront-ain of Youth
With the Red Sox rotation down two starters the team has had to tap into their minor league resources. Felix Doubront, signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2004, started with perfect first and second innings. But before Doubront touched off a wave of Doubrontmania the Dodgers got to him in the third, led by Ronnie Belliard’s double and ending with a 3-3 tie at the end of the third. After five innings the rookie starter left with a fair line: 6 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. The two unearned runs were the result of his own missed catch of a flip from Kevin Youkilis; he must appreciate the scoring rule that states that pitchers’ errors do not count toward earned run average.
David Ortiz’s 15th homer of the season was his 274th with the Red Sox, coincidentally tying him with none other than Manny Ramirez for fifth in career circuit clouts with the club. Ramirez’s reception was surprisingly warm given the animosity many felt when he all but forced his way out of town two years ago.
In those two years, however, Red Sox fans have seen two unsuccessful playoff campaigns. The Dodgers have gone to the NLCS twice and lost both times. The Red Sox and Ramirez were better together but seem happier apart.
Note the difference between the significant others of the Red Sox compared to the Dodgers. Bertha Lowell, Tiffany Ortiz, and other Red Sox wives band together to feed the hungry in Lawrence with the charity Labels are for Jars. On the other side, Matt Kemp’s date Rihanna took a break from her band to take in the game at Fenway. The international pop star stood out from the Fenway throng with her fuchsia hair and bodyguards.
Also enjoying the game was Roger Clemens. The former pitcher didn’t occupy the VIP seats near home plate but rather sat atop the Green Monster. He must have been amazed that the audience didn’t treat Ramirez worse than Hitler.
| Game 69: June 18, 2010 | ||
| Dodgers 38-29 | 6 | L: Carlos Monasterios (3-2) |
| 2B: Ronnie Belliard (7), Casey Blake (13) 3B: Matt Kemp (4) HR: Garret Anderson (2) | ||
 Red Sox41-28 | 10 | W: Felix Doubront (1-0) S: Daniel Bard (3) |
| 2B: Kevin Youkilis (14), Jason Varitek (5) HR: David Ortiz (15), J.D. Drew (8), Adrian Beltre (10) | ||
