On Thursday night, the Boston Red Sox offense was simply too much for the Minnesota Twins, tacking on 13 runs and winning 13-2. They had combined for 24 runs the past two games, scoring 11 Wednesday night against the San Francisco Giants and 13 runs Thursday night against the Minnesota Twins.
However, tonight, they were fooled. The Twins picked up their 36th victory of the year, overcoming the Red Sox 2-1. The Red Sox fall to 54-40 on the year, and fall back to second place in the AL East due to a victory from the Baltimore Orioles.
Kyle Gibson silences Red Sox offense
Mookie Betts led off Thursday's game with a home run, and was looking to do more damage against the Twins on Friday. Betts has become a star this season for the Red Sox, and was recently selected to his first All Star Game. Tonight, once again, Betts would provide a spark from the leadoff spot. The 23-year-old went yard once again to begin the night for the Red Sox, his fifth leadoff homer of the season.
He also had consecutive days with leadoff home runs on May 31st and June 1st against the Baltimore Orioles, as he hit an unbelievable five home runs in just two days.
Xander Bogaerts hit a single with one away, but the next batter, David Ortiz, would ground into a double play.
From this point on, starter Kyle Gibson was flawless. The Red Sox did not record another hit while Gibson was on the mound, as he held the Red Sox hitless from the second to eighth innings.
Gibson finished eight innings, yielding just two hits, one run, one walk, and struck out six.
Betts left the game in the sixth inning with a sore right knee, but is expected to be ready to play on Saturday.
Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano carry Twins offense
Eduardo Rodriguez got the start for the Red Sox, and his 2016 season has been horrendous. Rodriguez entered the game with a dreadful 7.18 ERA, and was even sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket following a 2.2 inning, nine run performance on June 27th. Rodriguez was expected to be a reliable starting pitching option for the Red Sox this year, as the young southpaw had a solid 3.85 ERA in 2015.
Tonight, Rodriguez looked to get back on track in his first start since the All Star Break. He had a solid outing in his last start before the break against the New York Yankees, allowing just one run over seven innings.
"E-Rod" retired the Twins in order in the first inning, but Brian Dozier and the Twins' offense would quickly respond to Betts' homer in the second inning. Dozier connected with his 17th bomb of the season, tying the game at 1-1.
Dozier enjoyed a superb night, as the Red Sox pitching failed to retire him in four plate appearances.
Rodriguez would settle down, however, and turn in another solid outing. In the sixth, he walked Joe Mauer with one away, and John Farrell pulled him after 95 pitches. Heath Hembree replaced him, but struggled with his command. Following a walk to Dozier, he ran a full-count to Miguel Sano, until Sano won the battle with a go-ahead double to make it a 2-1 game. Sano also had a great day, finishing 3-4.
Rodriguez was responsible for the run, one of two on the night. He finished 5.1 innings surrendering six hits, two runs, one walk, and struck out eight.
Late game drama
Brandon Kintzler replaced Gibson in the ninth inning, but entered with just six save appearances due to the team's struggles. Michael Martinez, who replaced Betts, would leg out an infield single to begin the inning, setting the tone early. Dustin Pedroia would follow, and ripped a single the opposite way to give the Red Sox two baserunners with nobody out for Bogaerts. The 23-year-old had a terrific at-bat, reaching on an 11-pitch walk.
David Ortiz came to the plate, and he has had a trademark for coming up in clutch moments for the Red Sox. This was another huge moment, as he came to the plate with the bases loaded, no outs, and down by one run.
However, this time, Ortiz did not come through. The infield was in for the Twins, and "Big Papi" hit a groundball right to Dozier, who would start a 4-2-3 double play to maintain the 2-1 lead. The Red Sox still had two runners in scoring position for Hanley Ramirez, but he would lineout to end the game.
It was a very tough loss for Boston, and they will look to get back to the Twins Saturday night when David Price takes the bump.