Minnesota Twins News

The race in the AL Central is wide open because two supposedly potent teams have been mediocre.

Livan Hernandez won again, Craig Monroe contributed another big hit, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3 on Monday night to win the four-game series. Manny Ramirez finally went deep, hitting career homer No. 498 in the first inning for the Red Sox. The two-run shot was his second home run in 20 games.

Every week Sean Deveney looks at the action and ranks all the teams as he sees them.

Joe Nathan sweated out his latest save, making just enough big pitches and one sparkling defensive play to hold on against the Boston Red Sox. “Tonight was probably seven appearances in one,” the Minnesota Twins closer said after a 9-8 victory Sunday night. Nathan took the mound with a 9-6 lead, but gave up an RBI double to J.D.

So much for small ball. Craig Monroe went 2-for-4 with two of light-hitting Minnesota’s three home runs and four RBIs, and the Twins hung on for a 9-8 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night. Joe Nathan gave up two runs in the ninth, but won a showdown with pinch-hitter Manny Ramirez by getting him to ground out to shortstop with the tying run on second base to pick up his 12th save in as…

The Boston Red Sox got an unexpected power surge from the bottom of their lineup to help Daisuke Matsuzaka remain undefeated with a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night. Coco Crisp and Jed Lowrie hit back-to-back homers to lead off the seventh inning — Crisp’s first since Sept. 6 and Lowrie’s first of his career — and Matsuzaka (6-0) gave up two runs and six hits with seven…

The Minnesota Twins on Saturday placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo was expected to miss Saturday night’s game against Minnesota with what manager Terry Francona said is likely a mild concussion, while Twins infielder Nick Punto was headed to the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Lugo was injured Friday night when he collided with Matt Tolbert while sliding into second base.

Struggling Mike Lamb lifted the Minnesota Twins past the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night with a two-run single in the ninth inning against Jonathan Papelbon, who blew his second consecutive save opportunity. Delmon Young led off the ninth with a single, and advanced on a sacrifice by Matt Tolbert.

Minnesota Twins second baseman Brendan Harris left Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning with a tight right hamstring.