Thu, May 4th, 2023 - 6:14pm
April 20, 2023 - 4:28pm | By James McCarty
On Thursday afternoon the Minnesota Twins fell to the Boston Red Sox 11-5 in their series rubber match.
Early in the game the Twins took another blow in the young season. Kenta Maeda, who was pitching in only his third game since August 2021, left the game at the end of the second inning. Maeda took a line drive off the bat of Jarren Duran directly to his ankle. He would throw Duran out at first, but then fall to the ground in pain. Maeda would leave the game walking off under his own power.
We salute you, Kenta Maeda #MNTwins x #RedSox pic.twitter.com/15DrPxisYD
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 20, 2023
Twins reliever Emilio Pagan had a tough outing, giving up five straight hits to begin his day. Pagan only lasted 1 ⅔ innings, and gave up six runs on eight total hits.
Alex Verdugo began the scoring in the first inning hitting a 386 foot home run, giving the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.
In the third inning Boston would crack the game open, beginning with a Rafael Devers RBI double. Then Masataka Yoshida and Kolten Wong hit RBI singles. To wrap up the scoring, Duran hit an RBI double. Once the dust settled Boston led 7-0 after the third inning.
Minnesota would strike in the fifth inning on a Max Kepler RBI ground rule double, cutting the deficit to 7-1. In the bottom half of the inning Boston countered. Duran hit an RBI sacrifice fly followed by a Yu Chang 388 foot home run. Boston extended its lead to 10-1.
Twins infielder Willi Castro hit a two run homer 413 feet in the seventh inning, making it a 10-3 game.
Willi Castro waves goodbye @Twins // #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/wFNUqaUyUd
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 20, 2023
The Red Sox added another run in the eighth inning on a Yoshida RBI single, 11-3 Boston.
Minnesota wouldn’t go down without a fight as Christian Vasquez hit an RBI single, making the score 11-3. Edouard Julien would then hit an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 11-5. The Twins wouldn’t get any closer as the game came to a close.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli met with the media after the game:
"The X-rays were negative. He's got some swelling already."
Rocco Baldelli shares an update on #MNTwins starter Kenta Maeda and discusses the team's road trip and excitement to return home. pic.twitter.com/jZkajF46P6
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 20, 2023
The Twins are now returning home to Target Field for a weekend series with the Washington Nationals beginning on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. with Tyler Mahle set to be on the bump for Minnesota.
