Final, Twins 8-2: The Red Sox’s offense made a little bit of noise in the ninth inning. But it wasn’t nearly enough.
Jonathan Herrera and Brandon Snyder led off the ninth inning with a pair of singles, and Deven Marrero walked to load the bases. Brock Holt knocked in a run on a groundout to first base, but Dan Butler popped out to end the ballgame.
Dalier Hinojosa suffered the loss for Boston. The 28-year-old Cuban defector gave up three earned runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one.
Andrew Miller also struggled in his first game action since going down with a foot injury last July. The left-hander was charged with three earned runs after walking three hitters and striking out one in two thirds of an inning.
Anthony Ranaudo was a bright spot for Boston. The right-handed prospect struck out four in two hitless innings to begin Friday’s contest. Ranaudo was overpowering in his effort, and manager John Farrell called the outing “impressive” after the game.
The Red Sox and Twins will battle again Saturday. The two squads will change venues, though, as the Twins will host Saturday’s Chairman’s Cup clash at Hammond Stadium.
Mid 9th, Twins 8-1: The Twins added a run in the top of the ninth inning.
Jacob Dahlstrand recorded two quick outs, as Max Kepler flied out to center field and Kennys Vargas struck out swinging.
But Dahlstrand ran into trouble against Dan Rohlfing and Chris Rahl, each of whom singled to set up runners at first and second.
The Red Sox turned to Jeremy Kehrt in place of Dahlstrand with two outs. Danny Santana hit a chopper over the mound toward second base. Brock Holt fielded it on the back hand, but his throw to first base sailed wide and Minnesota scooped up its eighth run of the contest.
End 8th, Twins 7-1: The Red Sox didn’t pack much of a punch in the eighth inning.
Scott Cousins grounded out, and Keury De La Cruz and Alex Hassan struck out swinging.
Jacob Dahlstrand will come back out to begin the ninth inning for Boston.
Mid 8th, Twins 7-1: Jacob Dahlstrand induced three straight groundballs during a scoreless eighth inning.
End 7th, Twins 7-1: Caleb Theilbar tossed a scoreless inning for Minnesota.
Deven Marrero was the only Red Sox hitter to reach in the inning. He worked a one-out walk.
Mike Carp and Dan Butler struck out, and Brock Holt popped out to short.
Mid 7th, Twins 7-1: The Twins got the run back in the top of the seventh inning. Chris Resop surrendered it for Boston.
Deibinson Romero led off with a double. He came around to score when Danny Santana singled with two outs and the bases loaded.
End 6th, Twins 6-1: Bryce Brentz led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a home run.
Brentz has tremendous power, so he’ll be an intriguing minor leaguer to watch this season, particularly if the injury bug bites the Red Sox’s outfield.
Mid 6th, Twins 6-0: Chris Herrmann and Byron Buxton singled off Francisco Cordero in the sixth inning, but the veteran kept Boston’s deficit at six runs.
Buxton, of course, is the lone prospect ranked ahead of Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts on all major prospect lists.
2:48 p.m., Twins 6-0: The Red Sox’s clubhouse has opened up with a host of backups entering the game. I’m heading down there, but will be back in a flash with more updates.
In the meantime, continue following the game action right here.
End 5th, Twins 6-0: The Red Sox put a couple of runners on base in the fifth inning, but Samuel Deduno — in his second inning of work — again held Boston scoreless.
Mike Napoli led off with a single into left field, and Will Middlebrooks worked a one-out walk.
That was all the offense the Sox would generate, as Deduno struck out David Ross and Jackie Bradley Jr. swinging to end the threat.
Mid 5th, Twins 6-0: Andrew Miller saw his first game action since going down with a foot injury last July. And it wasn’t pretty.
Miller issued three walks in the fifth inning, loading the bases for Oswaldo Arcia. Arcia made it 4-0 with a fly ball to left field that Jonny Gomes nearly dropped because of the difficult sun at JetBlue Park.
The Red Sox turned to Mike McCarthy at that point, and McCarthy couldn’t wiggle out of the jam. Instead, Chris Colabello delivered a two-run double into the right-center field gap to give the Twins a commanding 6-0 lead.
End 4th, Twins 3-0: The Red Sox’s offense was unable to respond in the home half of the fourth.
Jonny Gomes began the inning with a towering fly ball to shallow left-center field. Wilkin Ramirez needed to battle the sun while charging in, but he ultimately made the play.
Dustin Pedroia then gave one a ride toward the right field wall. It looked off the bat like it had a chance to leave the yard, but right fielder Oswaldo Arcia raced back onto the warning track to make the catch.
David Ortiz struck out to end the inning.
Andrew Miller will be the new Red Sox pitcher in the fifth inning.
Mid 4th, Twins 3-0: Dalier Hinojosa ran into some trouble in the fourth inning as the Twins grabbed three runs to jump ahead.
Brian Dozier led off with a single into left field. It wasn’t long before he made his way to second base, as Hinojosa uncorked a wild pitch.
Trevor Plouffe followed with a single into right field. Bryce Brentz charged the ball hard, but his throw to the plate didn’t stand a chance and Plouffe advanced to second base on the toss.
Oswaldo Garcia then singled through the right side, and Brentz had a mishap in right field that enabled Plouffe to score from second base.
Hinojosa rebounded to strike out Chris Colabello, but the right-hander was knocked from the game when Wilkin Ramirez plated Plouffe with a single into center field.
Left-hander Robby Scott relieved Hinojosa and struck out Jason Bartlett to end the inning.
End 3rd, 0-0: Brian Duensing took over after two innings from Mike Pelfrey. He retired the side in order.
David Ross and Jackie Bradley Jr. both grounded to first baseman Chris Colabello. Duensing ended the inning by striking out Bryce Brentz swinging.
Hinojosa, who is scheduled for two innings, will head out for his second inning of work.
Mid 3rd, 0-0: Even the Red Sox still are learning what Dalier Hinojosa is all about. The third inning was a nice start to his Red Sox career, though.
Hinojosa issued a two-out walk to Chris Herrmann, but otherwise looked good.
Wilkin Ramirez flied out to right-center field, Jason Bartlett struck out and Alex Presley bounced out to first base.
Hinojosa, a Cuban defector, signed with the Red Sox last October. Hinojosa could factor into Boston’s bullpen plans before long, but the club is using spring training as an opportunity to familiarize itself with the 28-year-old right-hander.
End 2nd, 0-0: Mike Napoli led off with a line-drive single into left field, but Mike Pelfrey quickly squashed any potential threat.
Xander Bogaerts followed Napoli with a sharply hit chopper to third base, where the Twins kicked off a 5-4-3 double play.
Will Middlebrooks also grounded to third baseman Trevor Plouffe to end the inning.
Anthony Ranaudo’s day is done after two innings. He struck out four batters in his two hitless frames.
Dalier Hinojosa will be the Red Sox’s new pitcher in the third inning.
Mid 2nd, 0-0: Anthony Ranaudo was sharp in his two innings.
Oswaldo Arcia led off the second inning with a chopper back to the mound. Ranaudo handled it while ranging toward the first base line and applied the tag himself for the out.
Ranaudo then struck out Chris Colabello and Jason Kubel swinging.
End 1st, 0-0: Twins shortstop Jason Bartlett flashed some leather in the first inning.
Bartlett robbed Jonny Gomes to begin the frame. Gomes hit a line drive that looked destined for left field, but Bartlett laid out to make a sensational diving catch.
Barlett also handled a ground ball off Dustin Pedroia’s bat. David Ortiz flied out to end the inning.
Mid 1st, 0-0: Anthony Ranaudo was impressive in his first inning of work. He retired the side in order, picking up two strikeouts along the way.
Ranaudo struck out Alex Presley to begin the game and Trevor Plouffe for the third out of the first inning.
Brian Dozier sneaked in a little dribbler back to the mound that Ranaudo had no trouble handling before tossing to first base for the game’s second out.
1:09 p.m.: Anthony Ranaudo delivers a first-pitch ball. We’re underway at JetBlue Park, where the temperature is 68 degrees.
1:06 p.m.: Pedro Martinez and a youngster belted out “Play Ball!” and we’re ready for action at JetBlue Park.
12:52 p.m.: NESN’s Don Orsillo currently is introducing the Boston Red Sox, as this essentially is the Opening Day of spring training with Thursday’s doubleheader coming against college opponents.
Each player from last year’s World Series-winning squad is being introduced along with their iconic moment from 2013.
12:31 p.m.: There are a few updates to pass along before things get underway at JetBlue Park.
John Farrell said Friday that Daniel Nava will be in the Red Sox’s lineup Saturday. Nava has been dealing with neck discomfort but participated in full baseball activities Thursday. Nava also took batting practice on the JetBlue field a little while ago.
Grady Sizemore felt good coming out of Thursday’s game, and he’ll be in Boston’s lineup Saturday. Sizemore, who played left field Thursday, will play center field Saturday.
10:35 a.m.: The Boston Red Sox’s lineup card has been posted. Jonny Gomes appears in the leadoff spot.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said Friday morning that Gomes’ ability to put up good at-bats against both lefties and righties last season has earned him consideration for the leadoff role on occasion.
Friday’s complete lineups are below.
Boston Red Sox
Jonny Gomes, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
David Ross, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Bryce Brentz, RF
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP
Minnesota Twins
Alex Presley, CF
Brian Dozier, 2B
Trevor Plouffe, LF
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Chris Colabello, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Wilkin Ramirez, LF
Jason Bartlett, SS
Chris Herrmann, C
Mike Pelfrey, RHP
10:30 a.m. ET: The Mayor’s Cup has been rebranded as the “Chairman’s Cup.” Nevertheless, the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota begin their battle for Fort Myers supremacy with a Grapefruit League tilt at JetBlue Park on Friday.
Anthony Ranaudo, Dalier Hinojosa, Francisco Cordero and Andrew Miller are among the pitchers scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox on Friday. Boston started its spring training slate of games with victories over Northeastern and Boston College during a doubleheader at JetBlue Park on Thursday.
Brandon Workman and Rubby De La Rosa were among those who pitched well in their spring debuts Thursday. Ranaudo is in the same mix of young starting pitchers, so you can bet he’ll be looking to leave a good impression on the Boston coaching staff when he takes the hill to begin Friday’s spring training exhibition.
Friday’s action is scheduled to kick off at 1:05 p.m. Be sure to keep it right here for updates throughout the morning/afternoon.
