It had been awhile but Boston (9-4 overall, 6-1 away) finally lost another game, 4-3 in the series finale at Target Field this afternoon against the Twins (6-7 overall, 2-5 home). The Red Sox' nine-game win streak ended while the Twins' five-game losing streak also came to a halt. Not to sound like a Little League coach here but even in defeat, the Sox proved that they are winners. They trailed 3-0 in the eighth when outfielder Alex Verdugo worked an amazing 10-pitch at bat before slashing an opposite field three-run double to left that scored second baseman Christian Arroyo, pinch hitter Marwin Gonzalez and right fielder Hunter Renfroe with the tying runs. That's where the magic would end though for Boston as right fielder Max Kepler drove in infielder Luis Arreaz (4 hits, run, 2 RBIs) with a bloop single in the bottom of the ninth to win it.
In many ways, the Red Sox were fortunate to keep it that close since Garrett Richards (5 IP, 2 runs, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BBs) was their starting pitcher. He actually was ok by his crappy 2021 standards but they couldn't do anything against the Twins starter Michael Pineda (7 IP, 2 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB) who completely shut them down with seven scoreless innings. Arraez gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead with a two-run single in the second inning that scored center fielder Jake Cave and catcher Ryan Jeffers. Hirokazu Sawamura was the first reliever out of Boston's bullpen and he promptly allowed a solo homer to infielder Miguel Sano-the first batter that he faced.
Former Rays reliever Alex Colome (1-1) earned his first win for the Twins by pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts. Northeastern's Adam Ottavino (1-1) suffered his first loss for the Red Sox. He never really gave himself a chance in the ninth as he allowed a leadoff single to Arraez, he drilled infielder Jorge Polanco in the foot with a terrible pitch, then surprisingly stuck out DH Nelson Cruz before allowing Kepler's game-winning hit. Still, it's tough to complain about much with the Red Sox right now after they just won three out of four at Minnesota and they currently own a three-game lead over second-place Toronto (6-7) in the AL East.
Speaking of the Blue Jays, Boston will get their first look at them next week since they are part of a 10-game homestand for the Red Sox which starts tomorrow night (7:10, NESN) with four games against the White Sox (6-7 overall, 3-4 away). Weather permitting (since it's supposed to rain on Friday), it'll be Nick Pivetta for Boston vs. Chicago's Dylan Cease. Even though the Marathon is not on Monday like it used to be in the before times, Chicago is here for the traditional four-game series over Patriots Day weekend including the 11:10 am start on Monday. Toronto is only here for two games followed by a four-game series starting on Thursday and into next weekend with the Mariners (8-5 overall, 5-2 away). It's been a great few weeks for the Red Sox, let's hope that they can keep that momentum going back at Fenway Park.
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