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Red Sox try to solve Tigers, Verlander

Jun 23, 2013 - 12:43 PM (Sports Network) - After losing two of the first three matchups in the series, the Boston Red Sox will try to salvage the weekend set on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Tigers made easy work of the Red Sox on Saturday, 10-3, and in the process Max Scherzer continued with his historic start to the season.

With plenty of run support to work with, Scherzer pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs while striking out six, becoming the first pitcher to start a year 11-0 since Roger Clemens accomplished the feat in 1997.

"It's nice to start a season 11-0. It just means we're playing great team baseball and I'm going out there and doing my job," Scherzer said. "(I) have got to give all the credit to (my) teammates. Every time I feel like I go deep into a game, they're going to pick me up. They have the whole entire season."

Victor Martinez busted out of his season-long slump by going 2-for-3 with a homer, five RBI and three runs scored. Omar Infante also went deep, while Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter and Andy Dirks each finished with three hits apiece.

After allowing four runs in the first inning, Boston starter Allen Webster (0-2) battled for 4 1/3 innings but exited having allowed eight hits and five earned runs.

David Ortiz belted a home run in the first inning, adding to his team-lead in homers (16) and RBI (55).

Felix Doubront will take the hill for the Red Sox on Sunday attempting to improve upon his 4-3 record and 4.38 ERA.

Doubront is fresh off his the most dominating start of his career on June 18 against Tampa Bay, pitching eight scoreless innings with six strikeouts while allowing three hits and no walks, but he had to settle for the no-decision. He finished his outing by retiring the last 17 batters he faced.

The 25-year-old southpaw has not pitched very well outside of Boston this season, sporting a 4.84 ERA on the road while allowing 46 hits and 17 walks in 35 1/3 innings.

The Tigers will turn to Justin Verlander, who, despite an impressive 8-5 record, has been far from his dominant self this season with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.

Verlander was off the mark in a June 18 loss to Baltimore, yielding seven hits, four walks and five earned runs in five innings of work.

"I always pride myself on going deep into games and I want to," Verlander said. "It's just this year it seems like I haven't been executing, or there have been a lot of teams that have battled me really tough. But you've just got to turn the page."

The five-time All-Star and 2011 Cy Young Award winner has a 3.38 ERA in 10 career starts against the Red Sox, but just a 3-4 record to show for it.

The Red Sox and Tigers split 10 meetings last season.