The Red Sox were within distance to break the Twins' double-digit winning streak, but it was a forgettable seventh inning for Alex Cora's side.

Boston lost to Minnesota, 5-2, at Target Field on Friday night. The victory extended the Twins' winning streak to 11 games, but Cora was proud of the effort of the pitching staff.

Minnesota was up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, and with runners on first and second, Twins center fielder Willi Castro attempted a bunt to advance the runner with zero outs. Reese McGuire attempted to get a double play going with a throw to second. However, the Red Sox catcher was off the mark. Houck was extended to 99 pitches, and a pitch clock violation from reliever Naoyuki Uwasawa highlighted a four-run inning for Minnesota that helped extend its lead.

It could be argued that McGuire could have gone with a safer throw rather than one on the run or simply played it even safer with no throw. But Cora was not playing hindsight analysis on the play.

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"If we get that out, we're one pitch away (from ending the inning)," Cora told reporters, per The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham. "(McGuire) just threw it away."

Boston will get a chance to get a win in the three-game series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled at 2:10 p.m. ET, and you can catch full coverage on NESN starting with pregame at 1 p.m.

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Featured image via May 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire (3) forces out Minnesota Twins first baseman Carlos Santana (30) at home plate in the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports