Felix Doubront Steps in for Injured Clay Buchholz, Earns Amica Pitcher of Week Honors

Just as Felix Doubront was getting comfortable in Pawtucket, he was yanked back to Boston. But that’s just fine for the 22-year-old starting pitcher, who filled in for the injured Clay Buchholz on Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

After winning his major league debut against the Dodgers on June 18, in which he allowed just three runs in five innings, Doubront turned in an even better performance against the Rays. He kept the MLB’s fourth-most explosive offense at bay, yielding just two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings, awarding him this week's Amica Pitcher of the Week honors.

The cold and depleted Red Sox bats were to blame for the Venezuelan’s first loss in the bigs, as he left the game with Boston down 2-1. The Sox were unable to put another run on the board until the ninth and eventually lost the game 3-2.

That defeat didn’t kill his spirit, though.

"I felt pretty good," Doubront told MLB.com. "I left a couple of pitches up in the zone. That happens. I felt more confidence. I felt great. I was excited."

The Sox are hoping Doubront continues to feel good, as they may need to call upon him again if Buchholz is not fully recovered from an injured left hamstring after the All-Star Break. With a solid first couple of campaigns under his belt, Doubront is transforming from Boston’s last resort to a viable starting pitcher.