For the most part, the pitching for the Red Sox was excellent. Doubront shined as a starter while Atchison continued to roll in relief.
The offense received a nice spark from Ryan Sweeney, who returned after his stint on the seven-day disabled list because of a concussion. The Red Sox also got a nice effort Mike Aviles at the plate.
End 8th, Red Sox 7-2: Ryan Sweeney has been a nice sparkplug for the Red Sox in his first game back off the DL.
He's 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Mike Aviles drove him home for the seventh run.
Now, Alfredo Aceves is coming in. It's not a save situation, but I'm sure Bobby Valentine wants to get his confidence up after Sunday's blown save.
Mid 8th, Red Sox 6-2: Wow, Scott Atchison with no regard for human life. He's killing Detroit's hitters, striking out all three in that inning.
That's four strikeouts for the reliever in two innings. At 35, he's just putting up the numbers that he always hoped.
Atchison just has pinpoint command right now.
End 7th, Red Sox 6-2: So far, it's a very different outlook for the Red Sox and Tigers since the Opening Day series.
In the end, both are still trying to claw over .500. The Red Sox have missed four chances recently to crack a winning record.
As Adrian Gonzalez said on Sunday, the team is looking to take three of four from the Tigers.
Mid 7th, Red Sox 6-2: Scott Atchison has logged the most innings for a reliever in the American League.
But with a spotless seventh, he lowered his ERA to 0.96. He's blossomed into one of the most consistent relievers for the Red Sox after years of shuttling in the minors.
End 6th, Red Sox 6-2: I have an update on Dustin Pedroia. He left the game with a jammed right thumb.
His replacement, Nick Punto, hasn't done well at the plate while filling in for him. Punto just struck out swinging to lower his batting average to .128.
Also, Scott Atchison replaced Felix Doubront after six frames.
Mid 6th, Red Sox 5-2: Felix Doubront continues to be a strikeout machine for the Red Sox.
He racked up two more in the sixth, including getting Miguel Cabrera swinging on a nasty breaking ball. He had Ryan Raburn freezing on a called strike three.
Doubront is just in the zone and has a bevy of strong pitches at his disposal.
End 5th, Red Sox 5-2: Since I'm getting my first look at Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera in the infield, I have to say they look good.
Fielder has fielded first base pretty OK with the exception of a hiccup. Maybe it's all those veggies that he's been munching on.
Also, just got word that Nick Punto is replacing Dustin Pedroia. Stay tuned, I'll try to find out what happened.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 5-2: And that was a very close call on Gerald Laird's solo shot. It looked like it hit the tip of the wall for a hit.
Instead, the umpires ruled it a home run. That's the first time that Doubront has allowed multiple homers in one game.
The lefty had Laird on a 3-2 count and was visibly frustrated that it was ruled a homer.
End 4th, Red Sox 5-1: Like Doubront earlier, Doug Fister has been pounding the zone with fastballs after fastballs.
This time around, he made it through the Aviles-Nava-Pedroia part of the order unscathed, unlike in the third inning.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 5-1: Remember when Felix Doubront had problems with his efficiency. Well, that was a six-pitch inning for him.
He's cruised through this game and done so at a rapid pace. It's all part of the learning curve for the rookie pitcher, who struggled to make it past five innings through the first month of the season.
End 3rd, Red Sox 5-1: Jarrod Saltalamacchia is just crushing the ball right now, belting his ninth homer of the season.
With each homer, the calls for PawSox catcher Ryan Lavarnway are growing less and less frequent. It seems like Saltalamacchia has finally come into his own over here.
He's on pace to shatter his career high in homers.
Mid 3rd, Red Sox 4-1: Tigers manager Jim Leyland and third base coach Gene Lamont were just ejected for arguing.
They were both angry about a call that should've been strike three for Aviles, but was actually called a foul tip by the umpiring crew.
Also, Felix Doubront has been a strikeout machine, racking up his third strikeout. He's coming off a career-high nine-strikeout outing.
End 2nd, Red Sox 4-1: Mike Aviles is keeping the same approach at the plate, regardless of where he's hitting in the order.
Despite hitting ninth, he just collected an RBI single, driving in Ryan Sweeney. And Daniel Nava followed up by clubbing a double to bring in Aviles.
Nava has the highest on-base percentage on the team, which is why Bobby Valentine wanted to dabble with him at leadoff.
Mid 2nd, 1-1: Doubront hasn't surrendered many homers this season, but gave up a fat shot to Young over the Green Monster.
But he managed to settle down, inducing ground outs. He also shut down Prince Fielder in the first at-bat, getting him out on a grounder.
He's been leaning primarily on his two and four seam fastballs.
1:57 p.m.: Delmon Young has gone yard for a solo shot.
End 1st, Red Sox 1-0: When David Ortiz doubled off the Green Monster, Sox third base coach Jerry Royster made a close call.
He gave Adrian Gonzalez — not a speedster by any means — the sign to go home after he bolted from first base. It was a close sequence, but Gonzalez slid in and was called safe.
It was an early start to churning out the runs after the Sox started slow the last two games.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Felix Doubront snagged a bunt pop out, but appeared to have a little issue upon catching.
He's fine and pitched normally, but it took him a few seconds to gather himself back up. Once he did, he was as effective as usual.
And he struck out Miguel Cabrera swinging and, considering it's Cabrera, that's impressive.
11:45 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Sweeney, CF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Mike Aviles, SS
Felix Doubront, P
Tigers
Quinton Berry, CF
Ryan Raburn, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Prince Fielder, 1B
Delmon Young, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Andy Dirks, LF
Gerald Laird, C
Danny Worth, 2B
Doug Fister, P
8 a.m. ET: The last time the Red Sox (23-24) and the Tigers (23-24) faced off, it was during the season-opening series. As the Red Sox were attempting to piece together the bullpen — with Andrew Bailey having gone under the knife — the Tigers took care of business, sweeping Boston in three games. Nearly two months later, the Red Sox will look to exact revenge on Detroit.
The Red Sox will have Felix Doubront (4-2 with a 3.96 ERA) on the bump. The lefty took the loss last Tuesday against the Orioles but still managed to strike out a career-high nine batters over six innings. He'll have his hands full against a lineup that features Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera. Doubront will go up against Detroit starter Doug Fister (0-2 with a 1.84 ERA).
For details and analysis from Fenway, follow NESN.com's live blog. Tune into NESN's pregame show at 12:30 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.
