(Sports Network) - It appears as if a trip to Minnesota has cured the Boston
Red Sox's ills. Tonight, the beleaguered group goes after a three-game sweep
of the Twins at Target Field.
After snapping a five-game losing streak to start this series, Boston's
offense exploded on Tuesday, as David Ortiz hit a two-run homer and drove in
three, Mike Aviles had two doubles and a solo homer among his four hits, and
the Red Sox rolled to an 11-2 win.
Aviles knocked in two runs and scored three times while Adrian Gonzalez
finished 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Red Sox, who haven't completed a
sweep since July 22-24, when it took three home games from Seattle.
A win tonight would also give Boston its first sweep in Minnesota since taking
all four games in a series at the Metrodome from July 3-6, 2000.
Josh Beckett (2-2) earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits and three
walks while striking out five over six innings.
"It was about the offense today," said Beckett. "They were on their game."
Josh Willingham had two doubles and an RBI for the Twins, who dropped their
fourth straight game.
Nick Blackburn (0-2) was charged with five runs on eight hits over three
innings in the loss. Reliever Matt Maloney also gave up five runs on eight
hits while recording just five outs.
Getting the call for Boston tonight will be righty Clay Buchholz, who is 1-1
with a 9.00 ERA this season. Buchholz was hit hard in a loss to the New York
Yankees on Friday, as he gave up six runs (five earned) and nine hits - five
home runs - in six innings.
In a span of 12 days Buchholz was forced to navigate through the Rays, Tigers
and Yankees.
"It's three pretty tough lineups I've had to go at. You can take it for what
it's worth," Buchholz said. "You never want to go out there and lose, but in
the same sense, those are probably three of the best hitting ballclubs in
baseball. It was a tough run for three games, but I'll change it up tomorrow
and get after it."
Buchholz has faced the Twins three times and is 2-1 with a 4.67 ERA against
them.
Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with righty Liam Hendriks, who is still
searching for his first major league win. Hendriks has not received a decision
in either of his two starts this year, but has pitched to a 3.86 ERA. He is
0-2 in four starts last season.
Boston was 5-2 last season against the Twins.
The Sports Network