Sox Start Road Trip With 6-5 Win Over Twins
The Red Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a run in the 1st inning and another pair in the 2nd while Jon Lester, with the help of 3 double plays, cruised through the first 3 innings before being tagged for 4 runs in the 4th and another in the 5th.
NOTES - Alfredo Aceves came on in the 9th for the save.
Daniel Bard made his first relief appearance of the year in the bottom of the 8th inning and got credit for the win.
Marlon Byrd, recently acquired from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Michael Bowden, made his Red Sox debut playing centerfield and batting 9th.
Prior to the game the big buzz revolved around a Bill Madden column that appeared in Saturday's New York Daily News that claimed manager Bobby Valentine and shortstop Mike Aviles had gotten involved in an "ugly" spring training incident that resulted in Red Sox players confronting Valentine who then apologized to Aviles. When questioned prior to the game both Aviles and Valentine denied any such incident.
Red Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury appears to be making progress having moved from a sling to a brace for his imjured shoulder.
Lars Anderson was called up from Pawtucket before the game. He replaced Jason Repko who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
