|
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
The
Twins rout the Sox 15-8
behind a 19 hit attack
May 8, 2013 ...
It was just one of those nights where the Twins just couldn't stop scoring at Fenway Park tonight. The Twins broke out offensively and set a season high in both runs scored and hits en route to a 15-8 blowout victory over the Red Sox.
Minnesota jumped all over Boston early, scoring 11 runs over the first two innings to tie a franchise record. The last time the Twins scored 11 runs in the first two innings of a game was on Aug. 15, 1987, against the Mariners, and it's happened just four times in
club history. The Twins also scored 15 runs at Fenway Park for the first time since Aug. 21, 1991, falling two runs short of the club record of 17 scored in Boston on May 25, 1965.
Every Minnesota player in the starting lineup scored at least one run, with Josh Willingham the lone starter without a hit. The Twins had 19 hits on the night, which is tied for the second most in club history at Fenway Park. The team had 20 hits on May 25, 1985, and
had 24 hits at Fenway on May 25, 1977.
The Red Sox were excited to send one of their brightest pitching prospects to the mound. Allen Webster, a 23-year-old righthander, threw six strong innings against the Kansas City Royals in a spot start in April. Now he got another chance with the Sox skipping
struggling lefthander Felix Doubront. Webster struck out the first batter he faced on four pitches, throwing three high-octane fastballs to Jamey Carroll before getting him with a changeup. But the Twins roughed up Webster after that. He gave up eight runs on six hits
and three walks over just 1 2/3 innings. Keyed by a two-run blast from Doumit -- his second homer in as many nights -- Minnesota scored four runs in the first. However, the Red Sox came back with five runs in the bottom of the first, as left-hander Pedro Hernandez gave up a grand
slam to Jonny Gomes and an RBI single to Stephen Drew. Hernandez said he had trouble staying focused, as his cousin passed away in Venezuela and the funeral was on Wednesday.
The Twins were able to break it open with seven runs in the second, as Florimon led off the frame with a solo homer and later hit a two-run double with two outs. The Red Sox tacked on a run in the bottom of the second on a solo blast from Shane Victorino off
Hernandez, who lasted just two innings.
The Twins scored again in the fourth when Florimon grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and added two more runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Plouffe and an RBI double from Arcia. Minnesota added its final run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly
from Justin Morneau to cap the scoring. It was the Twins' most runs against the Red Sox since scoring 16 on July 25, 1996, at the Metrodome.
David Ortiz was 0 for 5, snapping his hit streak at 27 games. His last game without a hit came on July 1, 2012. Ortiz had a chance to extend his streak in the ninth inning and struck out. David Ross walked into the Red Sox clubhouse in the afternoon without a
limp. That was the first good sign for the Red Sox. The second was that Will Middlebrooks swung at a few balls on a tee. Ross and Middlebrooks collided in the fifth inning Tuesday night while chasing a foul ball and came away injured. Middlebrooks bruised the right side of his rib
cage and Ross his left quadriceps, right above his kneecap. Ross was treated with ice throughout the night and woke up feeling better than he expected. Middlebrooks had X-rays and an MRI that came back negative.
Alfredo Aceves has started two games for Pawtucket since being demoted on April 24. He has allowed two earned runs on 11 hits and five walks over 12 innings. Aceves has struck out 12 and won both games. Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, the first designated
hitter of the Red Sox, was recognized before the game. Cepeda hit .289 with 20 homers and 86 RBIs for the Sox in 1973. David Ortiz presented Cepeda with a framed photograph. |
