Twins drop second in row, lose to Sox 3-2

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Clay Buchholz twirled eight-plus solid frames in a steady mist at Fenway Park, and David Ortiz hit a two-run home run that cleared the Green Monster, as Boston downed Minnesota, 3-2, in the first of a quick two-game set.

Buchholz (5-3) gave up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and just one walk, winning for the fourth time in his last five starts. Boston turned around after a lengthy game finished on Wednesday morning in Yankee Stadium to win its second straight game.

Scott Baker (4-4) was the hard-luck losing pitcher, going six solid frames and surrendering three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Joe Mauer knocked in both runs for the Twins, which lost their second straight game.

The Twins got to the Red Sox talented right-hander in the fourth thanks to a pair of doubles, the first by Denard Span down the left-field line and the second a run-scoring two-bagger to right off the bat of Mauer.

Boston seized the lead, albeit with some initial uncertainty in the home half of the frame. Martinez singled and Ortiz punished a fastball deep to left-center and off and over the edge of the high wall. The hit was first called in play, leading to an RBI triple. The umpires then decided to look at replay that confirmed the ball left Fenway Park for a two-run home run.

The Red Sox added an insurance run in the sixth on Bill Hall's RBI single, scoring Beltre, who started a two-out rally with a single to right.

Minnesota chased Buchholz in the ninth with a leadoff single by Span, who advanced into scoring position on defensive indifference and moved to third on Orlando Hudson's one-out groundout against the newly-inserted Bard. Mauer's RBI groundout made it a 3-2 game then Justin Morneau walked and Michael Cuddyer singled to right prior to Thome's groundout to second.

Tags: mn sports, proam, baseball, twins