Buchholz allowed just five hits and struck out nine in his outing, with the sole blemish a solo home run to Logan Morrison in the seventh inning. But Buchholz was bested by Doubront the following night.
Doubront went a career-high seven innings in a 10-2 win over the Marlins, allowing just three hits while striking out nine. Although his performance was overshadowed by a perfect game by the Giants' Matt Cain and a one-hitter by the Mets' R.A. Dickey in the same week, Doubront had a no-hit bid of his own on Wednesday, holding the Marlins hitless through 5 2/3 innings before surrendering a solo home run to Jose Reyes in the sixth. Doubront retired 16 batters in a row at one point and allowed just two runs in the win.
The Red Sox began the season with a question mark at the fourth starter spot, but Doubront has done an able job in the role in his first full season in the bigs. The lefty has posted a 4.17 ERA to go with his 7-3 record, and his strikeout rate of 9.9 per nine innings ranks him second among American League starters.
Doubront is scheduled to return to the mound Wednesday night at Fenway Park, where he will look to continue his mastery of the Marlins.