A pair of two-run homers gave the Twins a 4-0 lead and they built that lead with a four-run eighth inning en route to an 8-3 win over the Boston Red Sox Monday afternoon.
Kyle Garlick hit a line drive home run over the Green Monster for a 2-0 lead in the first inning, and Jorge Polanco’s two-run shot over the Monster put the Twins up 4-0 in the third inning.
Both homers were allowed by Red Sox lefty Rich Hill, who pitched for the Twins last season. Hill was making his first start since his father, who ran the Boston Marathon 37 times, died last week.
Boston got just one run against Twins starter Dylan Bundy, who pitched 5.1 innings and struck out six while allowing five hits. He didn’t issue any walks.
Minnesota led 4-2 before taking advantage of a wild Boston bullpen for four runs in the eighth inning. Kutter Crawford pitched 1.2 innings before being pulled by manager Alex Cora after allowing four runs on two hits and five walks.
The Twins scored on a wild pitch by Crawford, a two-run single by Polanco off Crawford and then one more run on a wild pitch by Hirokaz Sawamura, though the run was charged to Crawford.
The Twins split the four-game series in Boston and are now 4-6 entering Tuesday’s series opener in Kansas City.
