The Sox have a 4 game series with the Twins at Fenway before heading back out on the road. The Sox had Chris Sale vs. Jose Berrios for the Twins. Sale was looking for his 10th win of the season and also looking to keep the pressure on the Yankees. The Sox and Yankees have been battling for first place and a strong showing in this Twins series might help the Sox take first from the Yankees instead of sharing it.
The Sox bats gave Sale an early lead when they scored two runs in the bottom of the 1st. Bogaerts ground into a double play, but Betts was still able to score from third. Moreland then hit a solo home run to have the Sox up 2-0. Moreland has hit a homer in three straight games. The Twins got one of those runs back in the top of the 3rd when Sale gave up a solo home run to Gimenez. Sox 1-2. Sale kept the game right there and kept pitching into the 7th inning. Sale had one out in the inning and then got pulled as Gimenez was about to come to the plate. Farrell decided to go with Hembree to finish out the inning. Hembree got a ground ball and the inning was ended by way of a double play. That closed the book on Sale’s outing and kept him in line for the win. Sox 2-1.
The Sox bats scored two more times in the bottom of the 7th to give the Sox bullpen some breathing room. Pedroia hit an RBI single and then Moreland hit an RBI sac fly. Sox 4-1. Matt Barnes came out for the top of the 8th inning. Barnes has struggled lately, but he didn’t show it last night when he struck out the side. Since Kelly can’t work two days in a row, it looks like Barnes and Kelly will be sharing the 8th inning role moving forward. Barnes’ strong showing did a lot to show he still deserves to get the call when Kelly can’t go. Kimbrel came out for the 9th and had a quick 1-2-3 inning to get the win and his 21st save of the season.
Red Sox 4 Twins 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Sale (10-3) LP: Berrios (7-2) SV: Kimbrel (21)
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