The Twins overcame a horrid start by Boof Bonser to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6. It came down to the wire as the win was sealed in the bottom of the 9th by Mike Lamb. Bonser blew two leads, but the hitters were able to overcome both of them to pull away with the victory in the opening game of the 4 game set with the Red Sox.
The Twins built a 2-0 lead in the 1st with an RBI groundout from Justin Morneau and an RBI single by Michael Cuddyer. They regained the lead in the next inning, starting with Adam Everett hitting a double, and Carlos Gomez reaching on a error and stealing second. Brendan Harris then brought them both home with a single. Gomez also had an RBI single in the 4th. However, the crucial hitting was of course in the 9th. Delmon Young started it off with a single, advanced to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt, then stole 3rd. Gomez drew a walk, then stole 2nd again and that allowed Mike Lamb to drive them both in with the game winning hit off Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Bonser had his 2nd straight start of giving up 6 runs. Right after the Twins had built the 2-0 lead in the 1st, Bonser gave up two runs in the top of the second. But the 5th inning was Bonser’s worst, as he faced 4 batters and didn’t record an out. He gave up a 2 run double to Mike Lowell and left with runners on 2nd and 3rd with no one out. Juan Rincon came in and allowed both runners to score, including one on a wild pitch.
Anytime you can beat the defending World Series champs it’s something to remember. The Twins offense was able to outscore the loaded offense of Boston. However, it was also a reminder of just how shaky the rotation can be. Bonser hasn’t been pitching well, Nick Blackburn is uneven, Kevin Slowey just came off the DL and Scott Baker just went on it. About the only consistent starter is Livan Hernandez. The Twins hitters bailed out their starter tonight, but they can’t keep counting on that to happen every time.
