Red Sox Can't Sweep Twins Behind Lester (72-44)

Last night was a tough game for the Sox as they could never muster up enough offense against a very good Nick Blackburn. The Twins took a lead in the 1st as Jim Thome singled in Joe Mauer to make it 1-0. The Twins scored again in the 6th, as Joe Mauer doubled in Ben Revere to make it 2-0. In the 7th, the Sox cut into the Twins lead as Mike Aviles scored on a Marco Scutaro single to make it 2-1. In the 8th, David Ortiz tied the game on a monster home run to right center. However, in the bottom of the 8th, the Twins scored runs on doubles by Jim Thome and Danny Valencia. Then later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Tsuyoshi Nishioka singled with the bases loaded to push home an additional run and make it 5-2.

For most of his outing, Jon Lester was very good, allowing 2 runs through the first 7 innings. But he collapsed in the 8th, and his final stats were 4 runs in 7 1/3 innings, and he is now 11-6/3.32/135. In relief, Alfredo Aceves allowed a run in 1/3 of an inning and Andrew Miller threw a scoreless 1/3. Marco Scutaro went 1-5 with an RBI in an ok day. David Ortiz (left) went 2-3 with a solo home run and is now .298/23/77. Mike Aviles also had a good day going 2-3 with a run scored, he is now .230/5/31 total, but is batting .333 with the Red Sox in 15 at-bats. There will be an off day today, but tomorrow night the Sox will head to Seattle and send John Lackey (10-8/6.14/76) against Blake Beavan (3-2/2.83/17).

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- he was very sharp for most of the game

David Ortiz- 2-3 with a solo homer

Mike Aviles- 2-3 with a run scored

Dull Spots:

Alfredo Aceves- 1 run in 1/3 of an inning

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4 with a strikeout and 3 LOB

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 3 LOB

Josh Reddick- 0-3

Not a good game for the Red Sox, 4 members of the lineup stranded 3 baserunners.