Sox Bang Out 18 Hits, Pound Twins 11-2

No bullpen meltdown on this one, as the Red Sox battered four Twins pitchers for 11 runs on 18 hits. Mike Aviles (pictured) led the attack with a pair of doubles, a single and his 3rd home run of the season. Six Sox players had multiple hits including Adrian Gonzalez with three, and David Ortiz, Ryan Sweeney, Kevin Youkilis, and Marlon Byrd who each had a pair of hits.

Ortiz hit his 3rd home run of the year in the top of the 3rd inning off Twins starter Dan Blackburn.

Red Sox starter Josh Beckett had some control issues in the bottom of the first inning. The Twins scored a run on a base hit and three consecutive walks. Beckett settled down after that going 6 innings; he allowed 5 hits and no other walks after the first while striking out five. Scott Atchison pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen (honest!) and Matt Albers closed the evening out with a scoreless 9th inning.

NOTES - Aviles raised his average to .333 with the four hits; Ortiz is hitting a blistering .444 with his two hits on the night.

Josh Beckett evened his record at 2-2 with the win; his ERA dropped from 5.03 to 4.56.

Former Twin Nick Punto received a warm ovation from the Minnesota fans when he pinch-hit for Kevin Youkilis. Punto played for the Twins from 2004-2010.

Daniel Bard, who pitched out of the bullpen on Monday night is still scheduled to start on Friday night.