Bostons JD Martinez, seen here in an earlier game against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park, had an RBI in the Red Sox game at Minnesota Monday night. Photo courtesy of Delaney Gardner (click to enlarge)
In a pitchers duel at Target Field in Minneapolis on Monday night, JD Martinez had a first inning RBI to back a very solid outing from Rick Porcello to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 2-0 victory over the American League Central leading Minnesota Twins.
Boston (40-34) got off to a quick start. Mookie Betts led off with a single. Andrew Benintendi also singled, but was thrown out at second base trying to extend it to a double. Martinez followed with a single to drive in Betts for the only run they would need. Twins starter Jose Berrios really settled in after the three first inning Sox hits. He retired the last two men in the first and didn’t allow another baserunner until Xander Bogaerts singled with two outs in the seventh (19 in a row). Porcello (5-6) also was very sharp in picking up his fifth win allowing no runs on four hits, with one walk and eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings. Boston added a run on a Bogaerts two out RBI double in the ninth inning, scoring Martinez who had a one out double off Minnesota reliever Blake Parker.
Porcello only allowed two men to reach even second base in his outing, with a two out double in the first inning and then a one out double and two out walk in the seventh. Minnesota threatened in the eighth off Boston reliever Colten Brewer. Jonathan Shoop had a leadoff single, and then Max Kepler walked. Jorge Polanco then sacrificed the runners to second and third with a bunt. With one out Nelson Cruz hit one back to Brewer, and he threw to Sandy Leon to cut down Schoop at the plate. Eddie Rosario grounded out to first to end the scoring chance.
Berrios (8-3) was the tough luck loser allowing one run on five hits, with no walks and 10 strikeouts in 8.0 innings. C.J. Cron had two hits to lead the Twins. Ryan Brasier pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save. Martinez and Bogaerts each had two hits to lead the Red Sox offense. Boston has now won six games in a row. Minnesota is now 47-24, losing just their 12th game at home this season.
Game two of the three game series is Tuesday night at 8:10 p.m. Boston sends lefty David Price to the rubber, to be opposed by former New York Yankees right hander Michael Pineda.
