Game 116 - Twins 5, Red Sox 2

Repeat after me - "There is no defense for a walk."

Red Sox starter Jon Lester walked 5 and 3 of those freebies crossed the plate in a 5 -2 Twins victory over the Red Sox. Lester went 7.1 giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, plus the 5 walks while striking out only 4. With the loss, his record drops to 11-6.

Offensive bright spots for Boston were Mike Aviles' 2-for-3 performance with a walk and a run scored, and a solo home run by David Ortiz (his 23rd) in the top of the 7th that briefly tied the game at 2.

NOTES -
The Red Sox are off Thursday and will open a 3-game weekend series with the Mariners in Seattle on Friday.

After starting 53 consecutive games, Dustin Pedroia was given the night off by manager Terry Francona. No word on just how much trash Pedey subjected the bench to during the game. Mike Aviles got the start at 2nd.

Injured right fielder J.D. Drew took some swings in the cage prior to the game on Wednesday. He will probably take live BP at some point over the weekend in Seattle.

Joe Nathan picked up the save with a 1-2-3 9th inning and in the process became the Twins' all-tme save leader.