Boston Red Sox (72-43) @ Minnesota Twins (51-66)
Jon Lester(11-5, 3.23) @ Nick Blackburn (7-9, 4.58)
8:10 PM EDT | Target Field (Minneapolis, MN)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

GAME NOTES

Eleven years is a long time. Think back to the start of the new millennium and all that has happened since. I’m not a mind reader, but I know one thing you are not thinking of: the Red Sox sweeping the Twins in Minnesota. Boston accomplished this feat on July 6th 2000, and let two presidents, two championships, and nine shortstops pass by before tonight, where they stand on the precipice of bringing the brooms down once again. They will attempt to do it without Dustin Pedroia, who gets a scheduled day off. They will have Jon Lester though, and usually that is enough. Lester comes off a tough loss against the Yankees in which he posted a quality start, pitching six innings of three run ball while striking out seven, but was one the wrong side of a 3-2 final score. The lefty will be opposed by the struggling Nick Blackburn. He’s had a mediocre season up to this point (Really this could be describing every starter on the Twin’s staff) posting a 4.58 ERA and a 7-9 record. His last start came against the White Sox, who tagged him for four runs in 5 1/3 innings. He walked six and struck out only one. Mike Aviles starts st second base in Pedroia’s place and bats ninth.

Lineups

Boston

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Marco Scutaro, SS
  3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
  5. David Ortiz, DH
  6. Carl Crawford, LF
  7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
  8. Josh Reddick, RF
  9. Mike Aviles, 2B

Minnesota

  1. Denard Span, CF
  2. Ben Revere, RF
  3. Joe Mauer, C
  4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
  5. Jim Thome, DH
  6. Danny Valencia, 3B
  7. Delmon Young, LF
  8. Trevor Plouffe, 2B
  9. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS

INJURY REPORT
Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26); Bobby Jenks, strained back (placed on 15-day DL July 16)
Minnesota: Justin Morneau, left wrist strain (placed on 15-day DL June 14th, retroactive to June 10th, rehabbing now); Alexi Casilla, strained right hamstring (placed on 15 day DL July 28th, rehabbing now)

Stats

-The Twins are in the midst of their fourth losing streak of at least six games this season.

-Marco Scutaro is 8 of his last 11.

-Lester is 5-1 with a 1.76 ERA over his last six road starts.

-Blackburn has lost his last three decisions. He’s posted a 11.68 ERA over that span.

-Lester started for the Sox in the first official game played at Target Field. He posted a loss, pitching 5 innings and giving up four runs.