Aviles, Pedroia Help Sox Sweep Twins 7-6

Mike Aviles hit a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning and Dustin Pedroia rapped out 3 hits and scored a pair of runs as the Red Sox held on for a 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins to sweep the 3-game series.

Boston jumped out to a 7-1 lead through the first 5 frames. Clay Buchholz labored through his 1st five innings, but he had held the Twins to 1 run. Minnesota scored 5 in the bottom of the 6th inning, all charged to Buchholz although the bullpen performance of Scott Atchison, Justin Thomas, and Matt Albers certainly contributed to the mess.

Vincent Padilla and Franklin Morales held the Twins in check in the 7th and 8th innings respectively before Alfredo Aceves came on in the 9th for his 4th save of the season.

Aceves was anything but dominant; he loaded the bases before striking out Denard Span for the final out.

The Red Sox had 10 hits; David Ortiz was the only starter without a hit.