Brian Dozier’s solo home run in the ninth inning forced extra innings, but Stephen Drew’s RBI single off the Green Monster in left field lifted the Red Sox over the Twins, 6-5 in 11 innings Monday night at Fenway Park.
Clay Buchholz wasn’t nearly as masterful as he had been in his previous six starts for Boston. He came into the game 6-0 with an MLB-best 1.01 ERA. The Twins jumped on him early with a pair of runs in the first inning and chased him from the game after six innings.
Buchholz allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine. It was his first start since being accused by Jack Morris of throwing illegal spitballs.
Rookies Oswaldo Arcia and Aaron Hicks had golden opportunities to put the Twins up even bigger in the first. They both batted with the bases loaded but failed to drive in a run.
Hicks got revenge after striking out with the bases loaded in the first with an RBI double off Buchholz in the fourth.
Vance Worley turned in a solid start for the Twins. He gave up three runs on nine hits but was pulled after five innings.
Boston took over the game when Casey Fien came in for the Twins in the seventh. Fien faced five batters and gave up two home runs.
The first was hit by Stephen Drew — a solo shot that tied the game 4-4 in the seventh. The second came from Dustin Pedroia — another solo homer in the eighth, giving the Sox a 5-4 lead.
Anthony Swarzak replaced Fien in the eight and went on to pitch three dominant innings. He struck out four and was blowing high fastballs by hitters at will.
Jared Burton relieved Swarzak in the ninth, and after getting two quick outs he melted down. He gave up back-to-back singles before Drew’s fourth hit of the game won it for Boston.
Dozier, Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham all had two hits. Mauer had a pair of doubles.
Game two of the four game series is Tuesday night.
Note: Ex-Twin and Red Sox slugger David Ortiz doubled in the eighth inning to extend his hitting streak to 26 games.
