Despite entering the 2015 campaign with relatively low expectations, the Minnesota Twins have defied the critics en route to an astoundingly successful start. 

This unexpected prominence within the landscape of the American League was accentuated this afternoon, as the team knocked off the Boston Red Sox 6-4, to finish off a three-game sweep of the underperforming Sox. With Kansas City Royals falling victim to the New York Yankees earlier this afternoon, the twins findd themselves tied for the top spot in the AL Central after 46 games of play. 

Minnesota's performance was pioneered by home runs from center fielder Aaron Hicks, his first in over a season, and left fielder Eddie Rosario, roughing up losing pitcher Rick Porcello (4-4) over the course of his outing, tagging him for six earned runs over seven innings of work. Minnesota starter Phil Hughes (4-4) relinquished four earned runs over the course of 6 2/3 innings, while closer Glen Perkins completed his second save opportunity is as many nights, his 18th of the season. 

The Twins fell behind in the third inning, however quickly battled back to gain the advantage. After a two-run shot by second baseman Dustin Pedroia gave Boston the early advantage, the Twins responded by loading the bases in the bottom half of the inning. Right fielder Torii Hunter reached on an infield single to plate the first run of the afternoon for Minnesota, and catcher Joe Mauer provided the host with the lead in the ensuing at-bat, knocking a Porcello offering to left-center for a two-run single. 

The Twins expanded their convincing advantage in the subsequent inning. With two outs, catcher Chris Herrmann singled to center, setting up Hicks' first home run of the season, a two-run shot to to right which gave Minnesota a 5-2 lead. 

Boston was able to recover the damage in the top of the fifth inning, however, recording a two-out, two-run rally of their own. After catcher Blake Swihart singled to right with two already retired in the stanza, Pedroia lifted his second homer of the outing to left center, lessening the gap to 5-4. 

Despite their ability to redeem themselves in the top of the fifth, Boston bats would be silenced for the remainder of the contest. The Red Sox placed two runners in scoring position in the final four innings of the game, and, unsurprisingly based on their recent woes with runners in scoring position, they were unable to plate either. 

The Twins increased the deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning to make matters worse. With Porcello still dealing with two outs in the inning, Rosario lifted a 426-foot solo blast to right field, ceasing any hope of a Boston comeback. 

Four Twins relievers bridged the gap from Hughes to Perkings in the latter stages of the victory, with Brian Duensing, Ryan Pressly, Aaron Thompson, and Michael Tonkin all pitching less than an inning for a cooperative hold. 

Hicks stood out on the stat sheet for Minnesota, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk and two RBIs, while Mauer went 2-for-4 with two RBI. While Pedroia and center fielder Brock Holt each recorded two hits for Boston, the middle of Red Sox order was silent, with spots 3-7 going a combined 1-for-19 with a single walk issued to left fielder Hanley Ramirez, who is batting an atrocious .218 in the month of May. 

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About the author
Liam OBrien
Just a Boston man who loves sports. Oh, and writing is kind of a priority.