Sign In
Register
Help
Quote
Boston (4-4) had a tough opening series at Fenway Park, losing the final two games of a three-game set with AL East rival New York. The Red Sox then opened their current trip with a loss to Kansas City, but have since bounced back to win three of four, scoring six runs or more in each of the victories.
That stretch includes a 6-3 win over the Twins (6-3) on Wednesday. Boston lost the first game played at the Twins’ brand new ballpark 5-2 on Monday.
Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury(notes) has missed both contests due to bruised ribs, and manager Terry Francona said he won’t play until returning home Friday against Tampa Bay. The speedy left fielder was hurt in a collision with teammate Adrian Beltre(notes) while chasing a foul ball Sunday during an 8-6 win over the Royals.
With Ellsbury out, shortstop Marco Scutaro(notes) has been productive in the leadoff spot, collecting two hits in each of his last two games.
Slugger David Ortiz(notes), though, continues to struggle, striking out twice to bring his season total to 13. Ortiz is batting .154, but Francona wants to keep him in the lineup so he can work through his troubles.
“It’s not fantasy baseball, and it’s not like chess pieces,” he said. “Guys need time to settle in. If I don’t let them settle in, it’s just going to prolong what we’re going through.”
A matchup with the Twins’ Francisco Liriano(notes) (0-0, 4.50 ERA) may not help Ortiz, who hit .212 versus left-handers last season.
Liriano had an underwhelming first start, giving up three runs and walking five in six innings as Minnesota beat Chicago 4-3 in 11 innings Friday night.
Liriano, who went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA last season, won the fifth spot in the rotation with a strong spring training. He’s 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA in two career starts against the Red Sox.
Boston will counter with Tim Wakefield(notes) (0-0, 2.57), who gave up two runs and struck out six in seven innings of a 4-3 loss to the Royals on Friday night. It’s a promising start for the 43-year-old knuckleballer, who had offseason back surgery.
The right-hander is 14-5 with a 4.16 ERA in 23 starts and three relief appearance against the Twins.
Joe Mauer(notes) is 5 for 12 with a homer against Wakefield. The reigning AL MVP is batting .400 with RBIs in three straight games.
Mauer had one of Minnesota’s two hits in 12 opportunities with runners in scoring position Wednesday. Still, the Twins were able to keep it close.
“We were in the game,” center fielder Denard Span(notes) told the Twins’ official Web site. “I think it’s a good sign. … In the past when we play the AL East, it always seemed like we got crushed. So to play a Boston Red Sox team this tight, I think it’s a good sign for us.”
That stretch includes a 6-3 win over the Twins (6-3) on Wednesday. Boston lost the first game played at the Twins’ brand new ballpark 5-2 on Monday.
Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury(notes) has missed both contests due to bruised ribs, and manager Terry Francona said he won’t play until returning home Friday against Tampa Bay. The speedy left fielder was hurt in a collision with teammate Adrian Beltre(notes) while chasing a foul ball Sunday during an 8-6 win over the Royals.
With Ellsbury out, shortstop Marco Scutaro(notes) has been productive in the leadoff spot, collecting two hits in each of his last two games.
Slugger David Ortiz(notes), though, continues to struggle, striking out twice to bring his season total to 13. Ortiz is batting .154, but Francona wants to keep him in the lineup so he can work through his troubles.
“It’s not fantasy baseball, and it’s not like chess pieces,” he said. “Guys need time to settle in. If I don’t let them settle in, it’s just going to prolong what we’re going through.”
A matchup with the Twins’ Francisco Liriano(notes) (0-0, 4.50 ERA) may not help Ortiz, who hit .212 versus left-handers last season.
Liriano had an underwhelming first start, giving up three runs and walking five in six innings as Minnesota beat Chicago 4-3 in 11 innings Friday night.
Liriano, who went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA last season, won the fifth spot in the rotation with a strong spring training. He’s 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA in two career starts against the Red Sox.
Boston will counter with Tim Wakefield(notes) (0-0, 2.57), who gave up two runs and struck out six in seven innings of a 4-3 loss to the Royals on Friday night. It’s a promising start for the 43-year-old knuckleballer, who had offseason back surgery.
The right-hander is 14-5 with a 4.16 ERA in 23 starts and three relief appearance against the Twins.
Joe Mauer(notes) is 5 for 12 with a homer against Wakefield. The reigning AL MVP is batting .400 with RBIs in three straight games.
Mauer had one of Minnesota’s two hits in 12 opportunities with runners in scoring position Wednesday. Still, the Twins were able to keep it close.
“We were in the game,” center fielder Denard Span(notes) told the Twins’ official Web site. “I think it’s a good sign. … In the past when we play the AL East, it always seemed like we got crushed. So to play a Boston Red Sox team this tight, I think it’s a good sign for us.”
MultiQuote