Twins 5 - 3 Red Sox
Final
  for this game

Red Sox turn to Lackey in finale with Twins

May 9, 2013 - 2:41 PM (Sports Network) - John Lackey tries to get the Boston Red Sox back into the win column on Thursday when they complete a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park.

Lackey lost for the second time in three starts on Saturday in Texas, as he allowed three runs and six hits in five innings, dropping him to 1-2, while raising his ERA to 3.52.

"I got my pitch count up, so hopefully next start will be pretty much normal," said Lackey, who was making just his second start since a biceps injury landed him on the disabled list. "It's not all the way there, but a few more starts. I like where it's heading."

Lackey has faced the Twins 15 times and is 7-5 against them with a 3.68 ERA.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with righty Kevin Correia, who is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA. Correia had a three-start winning streak stopped on Saturday in Cleveland, as the Indians reached him for four runs and six hits in five innings.

"I just didn't have command of my pitches like I did in my last couple starts," said Correia, who will be making his first-ever start against the Red Sox. "I fell behind guys, and they took advantage."

Minnesota won its second straight in the series on Wednesday, as Trevor Plouffe, Justin Morneau and Pedro Florimon each had three RBI, while Ryan Doumit and Aaron Hicks drove in a pair of runs apiece to power the Twins to a 15-8 win.

Plouffe had three hits and also scored two runs and Florimon homered and doubled. Ryan Doumit added three hits, including a two-run homer, and scored three runs and Joe Mauer had a pair of doubles and scored three times for the Twins, winners in three of their last four.

"So many guys up and down the lineup hit the ball," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Florimon had a really good night, and Mauer and a whole of bunch of other guys obviously with that many runs. So it was a good win for us."

Ryan Pressly (1-0) earned his first career win after tossing four scoreless innings of relief. Starter Pedro Hernandez gave up six runs on seven hits over just two innings of work.

Jonny Gomes went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and five RBI and Shane Victorino added a pair of hits, including a solo homer, for the Red Sox, who have dropped five of their last six games.

Allen Webster (0-1) started in place of left-hander Felix Doubront, who was moved to Boston's depleted bullpen. Webster was hammered for eight runs on six hits in just 1 2/3 innings.

"A tough night from the mound tonight. A number of pitches found their way to the middle of the plate," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "They swung aggressively, they hit a number of fastballs that didn't get to the intended location."

David Ortiz's 27-game hitting streak came to an end after he went 0-for-5.

Boston was 4-3 last season versus the Twins.






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