Final
Red Sox take aim at needed sweep of Twins
Apr 25, 2012 - 2:57 PMVideo
After snapping a five-game losing streak to start this series, Boston's offense exploded on Tuesday, as David Ortiz hit a two-run homer and drove in three, Mike Aviles had two doubles and a solo homer among his four hits, and the Red Sox rolled to an 11-2 win.
Aviles knocked in two runs and scored three times while Adrian Gonzalez finished 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Red Sox, who haven't completed a sweep since July 22-24, when it took three home games from Seattle.
A win tonight would also give Boston its first sweep in Minnesota since taking all four games in a series at the Metrodome from July 3-6, 2000.
Josh Beckett (2-2) earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.
"It was about the offense today," said Beckett. "They were on their game."
Josh Willingham had two doubles and an RBI for the Twins, who dropped their fourth straight game.
Nick Blackburn (0-2) was charged with five runs on eight hits over three innings in the loss. Reliever Matt Maloney also gave up five runs on eight hits while recording just five outs.
Getting the call for Boston tonight will be righty Clay Buchholz, who is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA this season. Buchholz was hit hard in a loss to the New York Yankees on Friday, as he gave up six runs (five earned) and nine hits - five home runs - in six innings.
In a span of 12 days Buchholz was forced to navigate through the Rays, Tigers and Yankees.
"It's three pretty tough lineups I've had to go at. You can take it for what it's worth," Buchholz said. "You never want to go out there and lose, but in the same sense, those are probably three of the best hitting ballclubs in baseball. It was a tough run for three games, but I'll change it up tomorrow and get after it."
Buchholz has faced the Twins three times and is 2-1 with a 4.67 ERA against them.
Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with righty Liam Hendriks, who is still searching for his first major league win. Hendriks has not received a decision in either of his two starts this year, but has pitched to a 3.86 ERA. He is 0-2 in four starts last season.
Boston was 5-2 last season against the Twins.
- BOSTON: 7
MINNESOTA: 6
Final
Apr 25 11:44 PM - Trevor Plouffe singled to center scored Joe Mauer. On the play, Danny Valencia advances to second and Justin Morneau advances to third. Bases loaded with one out and Sean Burroughs due up.
Red Sox 7, Twins 6 Bot 6, 1 OutApr 25 10:42 PM - Justin Morneau doubled to center scored Jamey Carroll. On the play, Joe Mauer advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Chris Parmelee due up.
Red Sox 7, Twins 5 Bot 6, 1 OutApr 25 10:35 PM - Joe Mauer singled to left scored Alexi Casilla and Denard Span. On the play, Jamey Carroll advances to third. Runners on first and third with one out and Justin Morneau due up.
Red Sox 7, Twins 4 Bot 6, 1 OutApr 25 10:31 PM - Denard Span doubled to right scored Ben Revere. On the play, Alexi Casilla advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Jamey Carroll due up.
Red Sox 7, Twins 2 Bot 6, 1 OutApr 25 10:23 PM - Adrian Gonzalez singled to left scored Dustin Pedroia. Runner on first with none out and David Ortiz due up.
Red Sox 7, Twins 1 Top 5, 0 OutsApr 25 9:53 PM - Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled to right scored Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez. On the play, Jarrod Saltalamachia out at second, right to first to short to end the inning.
Red Sox 6, Twins 1 Mid 3Apr 25 9:16 PM - Alexi Casilla singled to left scored Ben Revere. Runner on first with one out and Denard Span due up.
Red Sox 4, Twins 1 Bot 2, 1 OutApr 25 8:59 PM - Mike Aviles two-out, three-run Home Run (4) to left scored Kevin Youkilis and Cody Ross. Ryan Sweeney due up.
Red Sox 4, Twins 0 Top 2, 2 OutsApr 25 8:51 PM - Cody Ross singled to center scored David Ortiz. On the play, Kevin Youkilis advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Marlon Byrd due up.
Red Sox 1, Twins 0 Top 2, 1 OutApr 25 8:48 PM - BOSTON: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 25 8:11 PM
Related News
- Greatest Minnesota Twins: The Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 9) Dec 26
- OTM Open Thread 12/25: It is Monday Dec 25
- The season of perpetual hope (Pt. 3 of 3): Jim Eisenreich Dec 24
- OTM Open Thread 12/23: It is Saturday Dec 23
- Rival Roundup, Vol. 47: Home for the Holidays Dec 23
- OTM Open Thread 12/22: It is Friday Dec 22
- From Roman Gladiators to Red Sox, We’re Still Here Dec 22
- Smash Or Pass: Any One Of The Mariners’ Young Starting Pitchers Dec 21
- OTM Open Thread 12/21: It is Thursday Dec 21
- The Only Card The Red Sox Can Afford To Play Next Is An Ace Dec 20
- Red Sox News & Links: Yamamoto Snubs Boston (The City, Not Necessarily The Team) Dec 20
- 2023 In Review: Kutter Crawford Can Get Even Better Dec 20