Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner each had RBI singles during a three-run top of the 12th inning, helping to propel the Minnesota Twins to a 4-2 win over the host Boston Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
The Twins (81-73) moved to a game ahead of the Detroit Tigers for the final American League wild-card spot. Detroit lost 7-1 to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.
Each of the top five hitters in Minnesota’s lineup had multiple hits, including leadoff hitter Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis, who doubled.
With Kyle Farmer the automatic runner on second to start the top of the 12th, Buxton and Larnach singled to help bring home the go-ahead run. After Carlos Correa walked, Wallner added an insurance run with another single. Two batters later, Willi Castro hit a sacrifice fly to right to push the lead to 4-1.
Griffin Jax allowed only Connor Wong’s RBI groundout in Boston’s half of the inning to save a victory for Scott Blewitt (1-0).
First baseman Triston Casas snagged Larnach’s liner to help Josh Winckowski through a scoreless 10th. The Red Sox offense missed several opportunities in the game, finishing 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position while tying a franchise record with 20 strikeouts.
Wong and Trevor Story each had two hits and an RBI for Boston (76-78), which has lost four of five games.
Red Sox starter Richard Fitts became only the second pitcher in MLB history to work at least five innings without allowing an earned run in his first three career starts. Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott accomplished the feat last season.
A two-out hit allowed Boston to take the lead in the fourth. Tyler O’Neill drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Wilyer Abreu’s single two batters later. O’Neill scored the opening run as Story ripped an RBI single into center.
The Twins tied the score in the seventh. Correa beat out a potential double play, allowing Buxton to score.
After Ceddanne Rafaela’s leadoff double in the Boston seventh, Twins relievers Cole Sands and Jhoan Duran struck out five straight Red Sox before the latter stranded the bases loaded with two outs in the eighth.
Minnesota rookie starter David Festa allowed one run and four hits in six innings, walking three and striking out six.
After the game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said third baseman Rafael Devers is going to have an MRI exam Saturday on his right shoulder and is likely done for the season.
–Field Level Media
