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Humber hopes to follow up perfecto in opener with BoSox

Apr 26, 2012 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - Philp Humber was perfect his last time out. Boston was the furthest thing from that the last time Felix Doubront took the hill.

Tonight, though, the Red Sox go after a fourth straight victory, as they open a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Getting another win could prove to be difficult against Humber, who on Saturday picked up his first victory of the season with the 21st perfect game in major league history in a 4-0 triumph over Seattle.

"I don't even know what to say," Humber said. "I don't know what Philip Humber is doing in this list. No idea what my name is doing there, but I'm thankful it's there."

Humber struck out nine and needed just 96 pitches to complete the gem - the fewest in a perfect game since David Cone's 88 against the Expos on July 18, 1999. His performance was the 18th no-hitter and third perfect game in White Sox history.

"It's probably something you're not going to come by more than once in a lifetime," Humber said. "Just trying to take it all in and appreciate it and share it with my teammates."

Of course, there hasn't been a pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters since Cincinnati's Johnny Vander Meer in 1938.

Opposing Humber tonight will be Doubront, who has yet to record a decision this season, but has pitched to a 3.94 ERA.

Doubront pitched well on Saturday against the New York Yankees, tossing six innings of one-run ball after being staked to a 9-0 lead. After he left the game, though, the wheels came off, as the Red Sox went onto lose the game, 15-9.

"Those things happen. That's baseball," said Doubront. "I deserved better, but I'm with my team. For me, it was great, but I don't feel that good because we lost."

Since that loss, which manager Bobby Valentine called rock bottom, the Red Sox have won three in a row after completing a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, culminating with Wednesday's 7-6 victory.

Mike Aviles smacked a three-run homer, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia added a two-run single, Adrian Gonzalez and Cody Ross each had an RBI and Dustin Pedroia finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Clay Buchholz (2-1) gave up five runs on 10 hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings and the Boston bullpen held it together the rest of the way to secure the win. Alfredo Aceves survived a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to collect his fourth save of the season.

"I feel like I threw my curveball really well tonight and that's the big one," said Buchholz. "I was able to put it right where I wanted it to go. That's been my really good pitch for me so far this year."

Chicago, meanwhile, has lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak following Wednesday's 5-4 loss in 14 innings to Oakland.

Paul Konerko tied the game in the ninth inning with a momentous solo home run -- the 400th of his 16-year career.

"Every time you get to one (a milestone), you never think you're going to get to the next one," Konerko said. "Yeah, it's cool, but I'll tuck it away now and probably look at it again when I'm done playing."

Chicago won four of its six matchups with the Red Sox last season.