Red Sox 12, Twins 5 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

MINNEAPOLIS -- When the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins get together, baseballs often fly, and the teams did not disappoint on Saturday night at Target Center.

Recap: David Ortiz is awesome

Source: Ted's Army by Aaron Gettings

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

With Big Papi leading the way with 2 home runs and 6 RBI's, the Red Sox beat the Twins 12-5 tonight.

It wasn't all roses for Boston this evening, but there was much to be excited about (including getting to watch David Ortiz absolutely crushing baseballs).  The most notable stat from the game was that Boston scored 12 runs on 13 hits.  That's awesome (when you factor in that they also walked 8 times, it's slightly less awesome, but I'm trying to remain upbeat here).  Plus, 6 of those runs came against Scott Diamond.  The same Scott Diamond who made the Sox look foolish just 11 days ago holding them

Red Sox 12, Twins 5: David Ortiz backs up wild Ryan Dempster, Sox win fourth straight

Source: Over the Monster by Ben Buchanan

The Red Sox' pitching was wild, inefficient, and on the whole awful for the first six innings of the game. It was also enough to get the job done thanks to a big night by the David Ortiz-led offense, which carried the team to a 12-5 victory.

The offense got started in a hurry against Scott Diamond, who had held the Sox to just three hits in seven innings earlier in the year. Jacoby Ellsbury started the attack by lining a 1-1 fastball back up the middle for a base hit. After Jonny Gomes popped out, Diamond would set the tone for the night by first walking Dustin Pedroia, then hanging a curveball to David Ortiz, who jacked it over the tall wall in right-center for a three-run homer.

A ground ball single was the Twins' only

Ortiz powers Red Sox past Twins, 12-5 (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- David Ortiz homered twice and drove in six runs to torment his former team once again, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 12-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

Papi power: Slugger's two home runs power Sox

Source: MLB.com by Patrick Donnelly

David Ortiz homered twice and the Red Sox banged out 13 hits in a 12-5 win over the Twins on Saturday night at Target Field.

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 12, Twins 5

Source: ESPN Boston

MINNEAPOLIS -- Two weeks after a series against the Minnesota Twins sent them on a long slide, the Red Sox have used their return set to get on a roll. Behind David Ortiz's first two-homer game since last summer, the Red Sox beat the Twins 12-5 on Saturday night, winning the first two games of the series and extending their winning streak to four. Boston now has won more than three consecutive games for the first time since April 24-28, and the Red Sox have a chance to sweep the Twins on Sunday.

Final: Red Sox 12, Twins 5

Source: Boston.com

Game over Alex Wilson finished things off for the Red Sox. The story was David Ortiz with two homers and 6 RBI. Daniel Nava drove in three. Another fine all around game by Dustin Pedroia, who reached base four times...

Red Sox 12, Twins 5: Ortiz has field day against former team

Source: Providence Journal

By Tim Britton

MINNEAPOLIS -- David Ortiz sure likes hitting against the Twins.
 
As if he hadn't done it enough over the last decade, Ortiz tormented his former team again on Saturday night, clubbing two home runs and driving in six in Boston's 12-5 win over Minnesota at Target Field.
 
Ortiz has now hit five home runs in 45 career plate appearances at the Twins' jewel of a ballpark. For context, Joe Mauer has six in more than 850 trips to the plate.
 
Ortiz got the Red Sox off to a quick start for the second time this road trip with a three-run homer in the first inning. This one came off a 2-2 hanging curveball from left-hander Scott Diamond, who hadn't allowed a Boston baserunner to reach second

Closing Time: David Ortiz powers Red Sox to rout of Twins

Source: Full Count by Rob Bradford

David Ortiz

MINNEAPOLIS — David Ortiz is at it again.

The Red Sox designated hitter almost single-handedly carried his team to an 12-5 win over the Twins Saturday night at Target Field, with Ortiz claiming the 40th multi-home run game of his career via a pair of blasts. It marked the fourth time in Ortiz’ career he has claimed six RBIs, having last accomplished the feat Aug. 12, 2008.

In the 21 games he has notched at least one hit (out of 24), Ortiz is hitting .420, and is 9-for-19 on the current road trip. At Target Field, the DH is hitting .500 (19-for-38) with five home runs.

Also helping

Clay Buchholz Wins Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors for Dominant Performances Against Blue Jays, Twins

Source: Yardbarker

Clay Buchholz may not have picked up any more wins in the past seven days, but the Red Sox starter is still undefeated on the season after two more impressive performances this week. Buchholz allowed just four earned runs in 15 innings this week, allowing 10 hits and six walks to earn Amica Pitcher of the Week honors. Buchholz is still 6-0 on the season while his ERA sits at 1.78. He has a 1.04 WHIP on the season with 69 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings. He allowed his first home run since April 3 on Friday night. Buchholz is first among AL pitchers in WAR, second in ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts and third in wins. He’s allowed just a .192 batting average against.

PawSox Lose to Indians 6-3

Source: PawSox.com

The PawSox allowed three home runs in their 6-3 loss to Indianapolis

Bailey says he's ready to return to Boston

Source: Providence Journal

By Paul Kenyon

The two pitchers down on rehab assignment from Boston were tagged for the long ball Saturday night as they worked for Pawtucket against Indianapolis.

But all indications are that both Andrew Bailey and Franklin Morales came out of it healthy and expect to return to Boston soon.

Bailey, the Boston closer, pitched the sixth in a 6-3 loss to Indianapols and allowed a home run to the second batter he faced, Brett Carroll. He also surrendered a double to Tony Sanchez. He retired the other three hitters he faced on two strikeouts and a grounder to short.

He threw 17 pitches, 14 strikes. He is expected to return to Boston early next week.

``Everything felt great,'' he reported afterwards. ``It's

No longer starting, Miller thriving in bullpen

Source: MLB.com by Patrick Donnelly

He was the sixth overall pick of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He was once the centerpiece of a trade for Miguel Cabrera. Now he's filling one of the more anonymous roles on a baseball roster as a middle reliever/setup man, but Andrew Miller and the Red Sox wouldn't have it any other way.

Bailey throws rehab inning for PawSox

Source: ESPN Boston

Red Sox reliever Andrew Bailey pitched one inning in a rehab outing for Pawtucket on Saturday night against Indianapolis, allowing one run and two hits (a home run to outfielder Brett Carroll and a double to catcher Tony Sanchez) while striking out two. Manager John Farrell had said on Thursday that Bailey, who is on the disabled list with a strained right biceps, is on track to be activated Monday in Chicago. With Joel Hanrahan facing season-ending surgery for a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow, Bailey will slide back into the closer's role, Farrell said.

Ellsbury battling "inconsistencies" (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Jacoby Ellsbury has struggled to find his groove this season.

Morales, Bailey yield home runs at McCoy

Source: Providence Journal

By Paul Kenyon

The two pitchers down on rehab assignment from Boston were tagged for the long ball Saturday night as they worked for Pawtucket against Indianapolis.

Franklin Morales started and went four-plus innings.He allowed only three hits, but two were home runs,a three-run shot by Josh Harrison in the third and a solo blast to the back of the berm in left by Jerry Sands on the first pitch of the fifth. Morales allowed five runs in all.

He threw 65 pitches, 43 for strikes.

Bailey, the Boston closer, pitched the sixth and allowed a home run to the second batter he faced, Brett Carroll. He also surrendered a double to Tony Sanchez. He retired the other three hitters he faced on two strikeouts and a grounder to

Ellsbury battling "inconsistencies"

Source: CSN Boston by calmonte

Jacoby Ellsbury has struggled to find his groove this season.

Following awkward slide, Drew held out of lineup

Source: MLB.com by Patrick Donnelly

The Red Sox were playing short handed again on Saturday night, only this time they're down two starters.

Middlebrooks' bunt key part of Sox's rally

Source: MLB.com by Patrick Donnelly

One night after he delivered arguably the biggest hit of the season for the Red Sox, Will Middlebrooks keyed another Boston victory on Friday by doing something he'd only done once as a professional.

Pre-game notes: Sox enjoying road success (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Red Sox enter Saturday's games tied with the Yankees for the best road record in the American League.

Victorino, Drew sit out vs. Twins (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Both Stephen Drew and Shane Victorino sit Saturday against the Twins to rest their ailing backs.

Pre-game notes: Sox enjoying road success

Source: CSN Boston by calmonte

The Red Sox enter Saturday's games tied with the Yankees for the best road record in the American League.

Victorino, Drew sit out vs. Twins

Source: CSN Boston by calmonte

Both Stephen Drew and Shane Victorino sit Saturday against the Twins to rest their ailing backs.

Live updates: Red Sox at Twins

Source: Boston.com

Top 1st: Red Sox 3, Twins 0 - David Ortiz hit a three-run homer to right with two aboard (Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia)....

East Notes: Braves, Mets, Ellsbury, Yankees

Source: MLB Trade Rumors by Charlie Wilmoth

Braves lefty Eric O'Flaherty has a torn UCL and will likely need surgery, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). GM Frank Wren tells O'Brien (also via Twitter) that the Braves are unlikely to make an immediate trade to replace O'Flaherty in the bullpen, noting that Wren doesn't expect other teams to trade top relievers this early in

Farrell not ready to drop Ellsbury

Source: Providence Journal

By Tim Britton

MINNEAPOLIS -- It's no secret that leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury is struggling.

More than a quarter into the season, Ellsbury is hitting .247 with a .312 on-base percentage and only one home run. Since May 5, Ellsbury is just 7-for-51 at the plate with two extra-base hits.

But manager John Farrell isn't ready yet to change his batting order and drop his leadoff hitter down.

"Not at the moment. That's not to say that there are absolutes. But what we have to do, we have to get Jacoby going," Farrell said. "And I know we're 175, 180 at-bats into the season already, and there's been a lot of opportunity, and yet he's had time, he's done a good job of getting on base. The month of May has been less than

Miller shakes off foul ball to the head in best outing of season

Source: Providence Journal

By Tim Britton

MINNEAPOLIS -- Andrew Miller was so good on Friday night that even a foul ball to the forehead didn't stop him.

Miller, who retired all five batters he faced in Boston's extra-innings win, came back out for the ninth inning even after a foul ball into the Red Sox dugout ricocheted off the back wall and into his forehead.

"It was fine. It just flustered me a little bit," Miller said with a chuckle after the game. "It caught me off-guard and scared me more than anything."

Miller recorded more than three outs for the first time this season, and he continued his turnaround from what had been a rocky open to the season. Since April 24, Miller has allowed only three runs in nine innings over 12

Victorino out at least one more day

Source: Providence Journal

By Tim Britton

MINNEAPOLIS -- Shane Victorino is out for the second straight night with tightness in his lower back, stemming from a catch he made Thursday night against the Rays.

"Shane feels better than he did last night, but still there's probably a little bit too much risk running him out there today when another day might just get him over the hump somewhat," manager John Farrell said.

This is the third time this season Victorino has missed multiple games with a back ailment.

Farrell said Victorino is "not completely unavailable" but that he would "look to stay away as best [he] can."

"He's a hard guy to keep out of the lineup because he wants to get in every day and he'll probably push it or risk it

Drew out with back soreness

Source: Providence Journal

By Tim Britton

MINNEAPOLIS -- Stephen Drew is out of the lineup for the Red Sox on Saturday night, one day after hurting his back with an eighth-inning slide into second.

Drew wrenched his back with the headfirst slide toward the inside of the bag on his double.

"It just basically jarred my whole back," Drew said Saturday. "It's just real sore today. We'll give it a day and not do too much and hopefully it calms down."

Drew was able to stay in Friday night's game without issue.

The soreness is located in the middle of Drew's back, "kind of in the disc area." He came to the park Saturday and took a few swings in the batting cage, but settled for treatment the rest of the day.

"It's not like I

Wilson happy to get first victory

Source: Providence Journal

By Tim Britton

MINNEAPOLIS -- The first major-league win of Alex Wilson's career may turn out to be his easiest.

Wilson picked up the win on Friday night, tossing two pitches to retire Trevor Plouffe and end the ninth inning. Boston scored once in the 10th, and Koji Uehara locked down the save for the 3-2 victory.

"It's always nice to get the first of anything in your career," Wilson said. "To have it on two pitches is kind of funny, but it's something that's welcome."

Plouffe's fly ball to center off Wilson got the Target Field crowd on their feet, but Wilson said it never scared him.

"I got a little bit too much of the zone with the fastball. He got the barrel of the bat on it, but I knew it wasn't going

Jacoby Ellsbury was slated for off day, but Shane Victorino not quite ready

Source: Full Count by Rob Bradford

Jacoby Ellsbury

Red Sox manager John Farrell had planned to give Jacoby Ellsbury his first day off of the season Saturday night, but Shane Victorino’s back still wasn’t quite healthy enough to allow for the outfielder’s return to the lineup. Victorino would have hit leadoff and played centerfield.

Farrell did say prior to the Red Sox’ game against the Twins Saturday night at Target Field that there is some hope that Victorino is ready to return for the teams’ series finale.

“He was hopeful for today last night,” said Farrell of

Victorino planning on Sunday return

Source: ESPN Boston

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Red Sox fielded an unorthodox lineup for the second straight day at Target Field on Saturday, and Shane Victorino's back wasn't the only one manager John Farrell had to worry about. Shortstop Stephen Drew also was out of Farrell's lineup on Saturday because of back troubles, leading Farrell to start Pedro Ciriaco against left-hander Scott Diamond and the Minnesota Twins. Victorino, who injured his back running into the right-field wall against Tampa Bay on Thursday, said he is planning to return on Sunday, and Farrell said he hopes Drew also will return for the series finale against the Twins.

Victorino and Drew sit out with sore backs

Source: Boston.com

Shane Victorino and Stephen Drew are out of the Red Sox lineup with sore backs.

Your Morning Dump... Where Ellsbury's price tag gets smaller

Source: Yardbarker

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump. Entering last night’s series opener here against the Twins, in which he stole a base and drove in the tying run with an infield single, Ellsbury was batting .249 — including a 6-for-46 funk over his last 11 games — with a .314 on-base percentage and only one home run. And although Ellsbury was leading the AL with 13 stolen bases and 199 plate appearances, he also had produced 141 outs, most in the majors. With numbers like that, a $100 million contract isn’t likely to follow. “It’s just a matter of him staying focused,” said Victorino, who admittedly was unable to do so last season before signing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Red Sox. “And he’s really not doing that bad. To be where he’s at right now, he hasn’t put himself in a hole. His power numbers aren’t there, but I’ve se

Amateur Hour: Sean Manaea

Source: BoSox Injection by Conor Duffy

So far in this series, no pitchers have been discussed. That is because some of the better pitchers are out of the Red Sox’ reach and some of the next tier were not yet worthy to be discussed. However, I think Sean Manaea fits right into this fourth spot in “Amateur Hour.” His stock has fallen some this spring but his performance in the Cape Cod League last summer should be enough to make him an early first-round pick for a team. Stuff-oriented college lefties with an excellent, projectable pitching frame (6’5″, 215 lbs) are usually a hot commodity and there’s a good chance Manaea is one of the top ten picks.

Jul

The Key Difference Between The 2012 and 2013 Red Sox: Resolve

Source: BoSox Injection by Steve Peterson

If the 2012 Red Sox were a human being and a full body scan were taken of the then dying patient doctors would have made an alarming discovery; no spine.

May 17, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Daniel Nava (29) hits a single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 edition of the Old Towne Team is a different animal. After a torrid April start, they stumbled badly in early May, at one point dropping three in a row, six of seven and nine of 11. They looked to again be baseball’s version of Muhammed Ali, rope a

Saturday’s Red Sox-Twins matchups: Ryan Dempster vs. Scott Diamond

Source: Full Count by Katie Morrison

Ryan Dempster

The Red Sox look to extend their winning streak to four games on Saturday night, with Ryan Dempster taking the hill against Twins lefty Scott Diamond.

Dempster was roughed up by the Blue Jays in his last outing on Sunday, allowing a season-high six runs on seven hits in five innings, coming out on the losing end of a 12-4 count. The starter’s ERA climbed to 3.75 from 2.93 after the loss, and he failed to go more than five innings for the first time since his

Today's MLB starting lineups: May 18

Source: MLB.com

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

Boston Red Sox's Andrew Miller Okay After Being Hit in the Head by a Foul Ball

Source: Bleacher Report

Boston Red Sox reliever Andrew Miller recently dodged a major injury after he was hit in the head by a foul ball while standing in the dugout.

The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham reported that Miller was in the dugout during the top of the ninth inning of Friday’s 3-2 10-inning win against the Minnesota Twins when the scary moment happened. A foul ball off the bat of teammate Jarrod Saltalamacchia ricocheted off a wall and struck the left-hander in the

Red Sox vs. Twins lineups: Ryan Lavarnway, Pedro Ciriaco start

Source: Over the Monster by Ben Buchanan

The Red Sox are out to make it four straight wins Saturday night as they send Ryan Dempster to the mound against Scott Diamond and the Twins.

The Sox will unfortunately be without three starters, in part because of an injury to Shane Victorino, and in part because of the lefty Scott Diamond on the mound for the Twins. Jonny Gomes (or Daniel Nava, depending on how you look at it) will fill in for Victorino, with Ryan Lavarnway and Pedro Ciriaco taking the places of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Stephen Drew respectively.

Boston Red Sox (25-17)

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Jonny Gomes, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Ryan

Sox lineup: Victorino out again

Source: ESPN Boston

Shane Victorino is out of the lineup for the second consecutive day after hurting his back while running into the wall making a catch Thursday night against the Rays. Jonny Gomes, whose sacrifice fly in the 10th inning Friday provided the winning run, will bat second and play left field, with Daniel Nava in right. Here's the full lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury, CF Jonny Gomes, LF Dustin Pedroia, 2B David Ortiz, DH Mike Napoli, 1B Daniel Nava, RF Will ...

Closer by committee for the Sox? (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Baseball Show panel compare and contrast the 2013 Sox bullpen to the 2003 version.

Fan Feedback: No patience with Doubront? (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Jessica Moran and Steve Buckley answer your questions regarding Napoli's strikeouts, Doubront's mediocre start, the future of Aceves, and Lester's rejuvenation.

Buckley on Buchholz: 'He's a work in progress' (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Our panel on The Baseball Show talk about Clay Buchholz and his fantastic start.

Closer by committee for the Sox?

Source: CSN Boston by dquin

The Baseball Show panel compare and contrast the 2013 Sox bullpen to the 2003 version.

Fan Feedback: No patience with Doubront?

Source: CSN Boston by dquin

Jessica Moran and Steve Buckley answer your questions regarding Napoli's strikeouts, Doubront's mediocre start, the future of Aceves, and Lester's rejuvenation.

Buckley on Buchholz: 'He's a work in progress'

Source: CSN Boston by dquin

Our panel on The Baseball Show talk about Clay Buchholz and his fantastic start.

Red Sox lineup: Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew sit

Source: Full Count by Rob Bradford

MINNEAPOLIS — Shane Victorino is out of the lineup for a second consecutive day after suffering a back injury on Thursday night against the Rays. With the Red Sox facing a left-handed starter in Scott Diamond of the Twins, Jonny Gomes — who had the game-winning sac fly in the 10th inning of Friday’s game — will bat second and play left field, with Daniel Nava in right.

Similarly, with a southpaw on the mound, Ryan Lavarnway will get the start behind the plate for Ryan Dempster. Stephen Drew will also get a day off, with Pedro Ciriaco at shortstop.

RED SOX

Game 43: Red Sox at Twins

Source: Boston.com

Good afternoon Here are the lineups: RED SOX (25-17) TBA Pitching: RHP Ryan Dempster (2-4, 3.75). TWINS (18-20) TBA Pitching: LHP Scott Diamond (3-3, 4.08). Game time: 7:10 p.m. TV/Radio: NESN / WEEI. Red Sox vs. Diamond: Victorino 0-6, Gomes...

Red Sox coverage in today's Globe

Source: Boston.com

The Red Sox beat the Twins in extra innings as Jonny Gomes executed in a big spot. Nick Cafardo writes that the Sox are getting good at winning close games. The notebook has Stephen Drew playing strong defense at shortstop....