|
|
|
|
 |
|
Scores Schedules Standings Statistics Transactions Injuries: AL | NL Players Weekly Lineup Message Board Minor Leagues MLB Stat Search Clubhouses |
| Sport Sections |
|
|
| |
Thursday, Jul. 6 8:05pm ET
Crawford excels in second start | |||||
|
| ||||||
|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME LOG
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Boston Red Sox rookie Paxton Crawford was an unlikely candidate to beat the pitcher who signed the richest contract in Minnesota Twins history. But Crawford, in his second major league start on Thursday night, led Boston to an 8-7 victory over Minnesota and Brad Radke, who earlier this week agreed to a four-year, $36 million contract. Crawford (1-1) gave up one run on six hits through seven innings to help the Red Sox complete a four-game sweep. Boston, which got a pair of two-run homers by Nomar Garciaparra on Thursday, scored 44 runs in the series. "This is one of the happiest days of my life, getting my first big league win," Crawford said. "I'm glad that one's over. It was fun pitching tonight." Radke (5-10) made his first start since agreeing to the contract Monday. He pitched seven innings and gave up eight runs on seven hits in his worst outing of the season. Radke allowed two-run homers in the first, third and sixth innings. He had gone four starts without giving up a homer. "(Radke) pitched pretty good," Twins manager Tom Kelly said. "But if you're going to throw a 3-0 strike to Nomar, it better be a good one." Garciaparra was 2-for-4 with four RBIs in his first two-homer game this season and 12th of his career. He's hitting .404 (19-for-47) in his last 11 games. His second home run came on a 3-0 pitch. "I think we did a great job this whole series swinging the bats," Garciaparra said. "We've got to continue that." Radke said he didn't necessarily feel different after resolving his status for next season, which had been the subject of speculation since spring training. "We're struggling right now and I needed to do a better job tonight," Radke said. "But it did feel good to get on the mound again." Boston manager Jimy Williams said Crawford, who spent the previous two seasons in Double-A Trenton before being promoted to the majors July 1, showed good poise. "He pitched very good. He settled in," Williams said. "We made some very good plays behind him." Crawford used a fastball, changeup and slider to keep Minnesota batters off balance. Though he was called up when Pedro Martinez went on the disabled list, Crawford said he isn't focusing on whether he'll return to the minors when Martinez is reactivated next week. "I'm not worried about that," Crawford said. "I got my first win tonight." Brian Daubach was also 2-for-4 with four RBIs for the Red Sox. It was the fifth straight loss for the Twins, who have lost 12 of their last 19. Carl Everett walked in the sixth and Garciaparra hit the next pitch for his second homer of the game into the left-field bleachers. Garciaparra's homer in the first, which gave Boston a 2-0 lead, was the first homer given up by Radke since June 16 against the Mariners. The Twins cut the lead to 2-1 in the first, when Midre Cummings, who led off the game with a single, scored on Ron Coomer's sacrifice fly. Minnesota scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a two-run shot by David Ortiz, his second home run in as many nights. "We made it interesting at the end," Kelly said. "We rallied at the end, but gave up too many runs." Cristian Guzman was 4-for-5 for Minnesota with two RBIs. Game notesRed Sox outfielder Troy O'Leary left with one out in the eighth after colliding with Garciaparra while trying to field a fly ball. Garciaparra's shoulder smashed into O'Leary's chest and both were on the ground for a few moments before O'Leary walked off. Williams said O'Leary's bruised chest would be evaluated Friday, but he didn't appear to be seriously hurt. ... It was the first time this season Radke gave up more than two homers in a start. ... The Red Sox improved to 7-0 against the Twins this season. ... After the game, the Twins announced Butch Huskey would be optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and Chad Allen would be recalled. Huskey has three days to decide whether he will report to Salt Lake. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Boston Clubhouse Minnesota Clubhouse RECAPS NY Yankees 13 Baltimore 9
Boston 8
| |||||