The reason manager Jim Leyland skipped Rick Porcello in favor of Phil Coke?

The box score shows it was 0-for-11.

Left-handed Boston hitters were hitless Wednesday in 11 cracks at Coke, a left-hander who specialized in retiring southpaw swingers as a reliever.

Though he didn't get a decision (Boston scored in the eighth to win 1-0), Coke turned in probably his best start of the season. He threw just 78 pitches in seven innings, with Leyland taking him out following a 26-minute rain delay in the top of the eighth.

Coke allowed three hits in seven innings, walked just one and had excellent command of his fastball, slurve and changeup.

Detroit's bullpen woes continued, as lefty Daniel Schlereth walked the left-handed batter he was brought in to face, then gave up an RBI double to the No. 9 hitter in the Boston batting order.

Maybe that's why Leyland said Porcello was available to work relief in both games at Fenway Park.

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