Red Sox comeback falls short as they lose to the Twins

There was no reason the Red Sox should have had a chance last night, after going behind 5-0 and 7-1 but they almost pulled off an improbable win before losing 9-8 to the Twins at the Metrodome on Mother's Day.

Boston pounded out 15 hits, led by Alex Cora (3), Kevin Cash (2), David Ortiz (2), Kevin Youkilis (2), J.D. Drew (2) and Coco Crisp (2).

Twins starter Nick Blackburn (3-2) seemed to be on the ropes for most of his six innings: he allowed four runs on nine hits but struck out five to get the win.

Craig Monroe was the catalyst for the Twins, hitting two homers and driving in four RBIs. Justin Morneau added three hits and two runs.

Tim Wakefield (3-2) gave up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits, with two walks and two strikeouts in 2.2 innings. The knuckleball was completely unpredictable last night for Wake and that wasn't a good thing. Kevin Cash had two passed balls and when Cash wasn't chasing it, the outfielders were watching it leave the yard.

Monroe hit a three-run homer in the second and later in the inning, light-hitting Adam Everett cranked a two-run bomb.

Boston (24-16) got one back but Mike Lamb added two more with a two-run single.

After Wakefield was pulled for Julian Tavarez, the Sox scored three runs in the fourth.

Minnesota (19-17) scored once in the fourth before Crisp (2 runs, 3 RBI, stolen base) hit a two-run homer off reliever Matt Guerrier, cutting it to 8-6.

Monroe added a solo shot in the seventh off Mike Timlin that proved to be a huge run. Timlin's ERA is now a cool 10.00.

Without a doubt, the Sox biggest weakness so far is it's middle relief. Luckily, those are the easiest pieces to add during the season. Timlin, Tavarez, Delcarmen and Co. simply aren't getting it done. Okajima and Papelbon are about as good a set-up man and closer as you'll find but they can't do anything if there's nobody to pitch the seventh.

Joe Nathan came on in the ninth with the three-run lead and almost blew it after not appearing for a week. Drew hit an RBI double that Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez mistimed. Crisp hit a fielder's choice to score a run but Drew got tagged out on a close play at third.

Manny Ramirez, representing the winning run, pinch hit for Cash but grounded out to end it and give Nathan his 12th save.

Boston looks to take the series with the fourth and final game tonight as Clay Buchholz faces Livan Hernandez, who's off to a 5-1 start.