The Boston Red Sox dropped back into the loss column, falling 10-4, to the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on Wednesday night in the second game of their three-game series.
The Red Sox fell below the .500 mark at 9-10 on the season while the Twins improved to 11-7.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
With a unique lineup, featuring six consecutive left-handed hitters, including rookie Enmanuel Valdez, who made his Major League Baseball debut, the Red Sox weren’t able to overcome their starting pitching.
Corey Kluber put Boston in a tough spot, allowing seven earned runs off six hits and two walks through five innings pitched. Kluber also allowed two home runs to Minnesota, raising his season total to six over the course of four starts in a Red Sox uniform.
And while the Red Sox lineup attempted to muster up a rally, the Twins didn’t stop applying the pressure. Minnesota collected nine base hits, including five for extra bases while going 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Boston’s first four hitters — Alex Verdugo, Raimel Tapia, Justin Turner and Rafael Devers — in the batting order combined to go 0-for-16 as the Red Sox went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Boston lost its chance at a series sweep, but a win is still at play during Thursday’s finale.
STARS OF THE GAME
— Richard Bleier provided the Red Sox with back-to-back innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits while striking out one, registering his first multi-inning appearance of the season.
— Valdez put aside his big league debut jitters, recording singles in his first two at-bats, making him one of just three Red Sox hitters — along with Kiké Hernández (2-for-3, home run) and Reese McGuire (2-for-3)– to record multiple hits.
— Twins first baseman Joey Gallo went 2-for-5, crushing a three-run home run to push Minnesotta’s lead early.
WAGER WATCH
Valdez was only batting .179 in Triple-A Worcester before getting promoted to the big leagues, but he wasted no time providing some offensive contribution. FanDuel Sportsbook set the odds of Valdez recording two-plus base hits +280, which he only needed two at-bats to accomplish. A $100 wager on Boston’s prospect would’ve netted a $380 total payout.
UP NEXT ON NESN
The Red Sox and Twins return for their rubber match Thursday afternoon. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.
