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The Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 11-5, at Fenway Park on Thursday to win the series over the American League Central leaders.
The Red Sox moved back to .500 with a 10-10 record, and the Twins dropped to 11-8 on the season.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Boston rarely finds itself on the positive end of fast starts, but that changed Thursday afternoon. Tanner Houck got things going with a 1-2-3 first inning that featured two strikeouts to avoid an early deficit. Alex Verdugo then got the Red Sox on board first with a solo home run. Boston's offense really came alive in the third inning. Emilio Pagán came on in relief for Kenta Maeda, who left the game due to an ankle contusion suffered when a ball off a Jarren Duran's bat hit him. The Red Sox tore up the right-hander with a six-run third inning and took a commanding 7-0 lead that Boston never relinquished as Fenway Park's 111th anniversary ended in victory.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Houck improved to 3-0 on the season and went a career-high seven innings against the Twins. He struck out seven batters and only gave up three runs off six hits.
-- Verdugo added a single along with his solo homer and went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs.
-- Duran has impressed since his call-up Monday. He went 1-for-2 with three RBIs and a walk, and the outfielder improved his numbers to .385/.412/.692 in four games.
WAGER WATCH
Verdugo had +830 odds to hit a homer at FanDuel Sportsbook. Those who bet $100 on the right fielder walked away with a $930 payout.
UP NEXT ON NESN
The Red Sox travel to Milwaukee to begin a six-game road trip Friday. First pitch against the Brewers is scheduled at 8:10 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the action on NESN+, including an hour of pregame coverage.
