Red Sox closer Alfredo Aceves struck out Denard Span with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, securing a 7-6 win over the Twins in Wednesday's series finale at Target Field. It finishes a three-game sweep for the Sox, who now head to Chicago for a four-game set against the White Sox.
The Red Sox held a 7-1 lead, thanks in part to Mike Aviles' three-run homer in the third inning, but the Twins fought back via a five-run sixth. The comeback drove Sox starter Clay Buchholz from the game, finishing the righty's night after 5 1/3 innings. Buchholz, who has given up at least five runs in each of his four outings this season, threw 107 pitches and allowed 10 hits.
Coming through for the Red Sox was the majority of their bullpen, with Matt Albers inducing an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded and the Sox clinging to a one-run lead in the sixth. Albers came on for Justin Thomas, who didn't retire either of the two batters he faced, hitting Chris Parmelee in the helmet with a 93 mph fastball.
Vicente Padilla and Franklin Morales followed up Albers with each throwing a perfect frame -- Padilla the seventh and Morales the eighth.
Besides Aviles, other batters coming through for the Red Sox were Dustin Pedroia (three hits), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (two-run single) and Cody Ross, who managed an RBI single before leaving in the fifth inning with a sore left knee.
For more Red Sox news, go to the team page at weei.com/redsox [1].
Links:
[1] http://weei.com/redsox
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox