Sparked by Byron Buxton, Twins chase sweep of Red Sox

The Minnesota Twins will look to continue their torrid play on Wednesday afternoon when they go for a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in Minneapolis.

Minnesota, which has won four games in a row and eight of its last nine, posted a 13-6 victory over Boston on Monday and a 6-0 decision on Tuesday.

Boston's starting pitchers, Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray, combined to allow 16 runs (15 earned) on 18 hits in 5 2/3 innings during the first two games of the series.

Minnesota leadoff hitter Byron Buxton was the offensive catalyst in both games. He had two hits, including a home run, on Monday, and added two solo homers on Tuesday to highlight his four-hit performance in the victory.

"We created the first run because Bux can really fly," Minnesota manager Derek Shelton said. "He hits the two home runs. ... Overall, I know this is being said ad nauseam, but just a team victory. Up and down the lineup we did really good things."

Brooks Lee also homered during Tuesday's win.

"It's just really enjoyable to be out here every single day," Lee said. "Pregame ... I'm excited to come to the field every day, see my teammates, and I want to see them have success, and we're doing it."

The Boston offense sputtered against Mick Abel, who gave up four hits and struck out 10 in seven innings.

"(Abel's performance) was outstanding," Shelton said. "In control the entire game. Mixing and matching. Fastball usage was tremendous. He used the changeup right-on-right ... just overall in command of his pitches."

Boston is batting .231 this season, with a .315 on-base percentage and a .345 slugging percentage. The Red Sox are 0-7 when their opponent opens the scoring.

Tuesday's loss was the first time Boston has been shut out this season. Despite being held to six hits, the Red Sox stranded at least one runner on base in seven of the nine innings.

"(Abel) had good stuff," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "We faced him in spring training. Good fastball. Good changeup. He was working ahead. I think with the lead he was more aggressive (than) in his last outings, but that's no excuse. We have to execute better."

Boston first baseman Willson Contreras left Tuesday's game in the fifth inning after feeling tightness in his lower back during a defensive play.

"We'll see how he feels (Wednesday) morning," Cora said. "The trainer feels like it's nothing serious, but obviously we have to be careful. He's so important to us."

Contreras is batting .298 with a .444 on-base percentage, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 17 games this season.

Wednesday's probable pitchers are Boston left-hander Connelly Early (0-0, 2.63 ERA) and Minnesota righty Simeon Woods Richardson (0-2, 4.60).

Early will make his first career appearance against Minnesota.

Woods Richardson has a 5.79 ERA in one career outing against Boston. He pitched 4 2/3 innings and did not get a decision in that game, which his team won 5-4 last July.

--Field Level Media