Boston Red Sox (71-43) @ Minnesota Twins (51-64)
Erik Bedard (4-7, 3.55) @ Francisco Liriano (7-9, 5.03)
8:10 PM EDT | Target Field (Minneapolis, MN)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
GAME NOTES
Nothing says “We just got off the plane after playing a five hour game that everyone and their deceased relatives complained about” like somehow rallying to win a game that looked over in the fifth inning. Even the vulture himself, Alfredo Aceves, picked up a win. Now winners of three straight, the Sox look to make it four against the beleaguered Minnesota Twins tonight. Erik Bedard makes his second start for the team after being limited to 70 pitches in his debut against Cleveland. He pitched five innings that night, giving up three runs and striking out five. Most importantly, his left arm is still intact and seems to be functioning properly. The toughest thing about his starts has to be the fact that in the back of your mind, you know that his arm could fall off after every pitch he throws. It’s actually kind of exciting.
Francsico Liriano starts for Minnesota. Remember when he threw a no-hitter? Neither does the rest of America. Perhaps only deadline fodder Edwin Jackson has a more irrelevant no-no in the last ten years. (Somewhere, Anibal Sanchez raises his hand.) Since his historic night, Liriano has been in a word: pretty mediocre. (Sorry, that was two.) He comes into the night sporting a pretty mediocre 5.03 ERA and a pretty mediocre 7-9 record. He went five innings in his last start, giving up seven runs to the Angels while striking out five. Yup, pretty mediocre. Also, he’s left-handed so you know what that means. Josh Reddick becomes a bench warmer for the night. Darnell McDonald will patrol right field in his place.
Lineups
Boston
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Kevin Youkilis, 1B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Jed Lowrie, SS
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jason Varitek, C
- Darnell McDonald, RF
Minnesota
- Ben Revere, CF
- Joe Mauer, 1B
- Micahel Cuddyer, 2B
- Jason Kubel, RF
- Jim Thome, DH
- Danny Valencia, 3B
- Delmon Young, LF
- Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS
- Drew Butera, C
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
-Jason Varitek is hitting .139 since the All Star break.
-Minnesota has hit a collective .209 during their five game losing streak.
-Liriano is 1-3 with a 7.78 ERA in four career starts against the Sox.
-Boston leads the majors with a .316 team average.
-This week’s Sport’s Illustrated cover… Laser Show
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