The Boston Red Sox offense won’t have much time to stew over yet another disappointing showing.
After an hour-plus rain delay Tuesday night in Minnesota, the Red Sox were held to just one run in a 2-1 loss to the Twins. They’re back at it Wednesday, as they look to salvage the series finale against Phil Hughes and the Twins in matinee baseball.
Boston outfielder Rusney Castillo, who made a pair of diving catches Tuesday night, is out of the lineup Wednesday. Manager John Farrell told reporters in Minnesota on Wednesday that Castillo hurt his shoulder on one of those catches.
He’ll be replaced by Brock Holt, who will play right field and bat eighth. Holt has been one of the few Red Sox players hitting well of late, as he’s 8-for-26 in his last nine games with four doubles. Holt’s collected four of those hits in his last three games and is 2-for-4 in his career versus Hughes.
The Red Sox likely could use another big performance out of Mike Napoli. The first baseman drove in the club’s lone run Tuesday night and is now hitting .429 (12-for-28) with five home runs and 11 RBIs in his last eight games. Napoli also has a pair of home runs and six RBIs in 15 career at-bats against Hughes.
Rick Porcello will start on the mound for the Red Sox. The right-hander was lit up in his last start, allowing seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Porcello seems to enjoy pitching at Target Field. He’s got a 5-2 record with a 3.17 ERA in the Twins’ home ballpark.
Red Sox (21-25)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mookie Betts, CF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Hanley Ramirez, LF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Brock Holt, RF
Blake Swihart, C
Rick Porcello, RHP (4-3, 5.07 ERA)
Twins (27-18)
Brian Dozier, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Joe Mauer, 1B
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Eduardo Escobar, DH
Eddie Rosario, LF
Chris Herrmann, C
Aaron Hicks, CF
Danny Santana, SS
Phil Hughes, RHP (3-4, 4.50 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Joy R. Absalon/USA TODAY Sports Images
