Major League Baseball

Sano homers, Nunez drives in 3 as Twins rally past Red Sox

Published Jul. 24, 2016 1:54 a.m. ET

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BOSTON (AP) The Minnesota Twins are proving they haven't given up.

After opening the season with just 16 wins in their first 56 games, the Twins have started the post All-Star break nicely. They earned their fifth victory in nine games to clinch a winning road trip.

Miguel Sano homered and Eduardo Nunez drove in three runs, including two in a five-run seventh inning, as Minnesota rallied for an 11-9 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

''It's easy to preach about trying to play nine innings,'' Twins manager Paul Molitor said. ''Sometimes you're challenged to dig a little deeper, but it's one of those games where you're really happy for the guys, the energy, and the offense staying with it.''

After taking two of three in Detroit against the Tigers, the Twins can take the series against Boston on Sunday.

''Tough night from the mound, obviously,'' Boston manager John Farrell said. ''You give up 19 hits, 11 runs, not a good night from the mound.''

Eddie Rosario had four singles for Minnesota, which won its second straight over Boston after losing the series opener Thursday.

''I wasn't frustrated at any time,'' Sano said of the game, though he could have been talking about the season.

''We played the game hard and did what we needed to do. We hit the ball well, we ran the bases well. We fought hard and did what we had to do to win the game.''

Hanley Ramirez belted a three-run homer and Xander Bogaerts had four hits for the Red Sox, who lost for just the third time in 12 games. Jackie Bradley Jr. had three hits and two RBIs.

Red Sox starter David Price went 5 2/3 innings and gave up 11 hits for his second straight start. The left-hander gave up five runs, raising his ERA to 4.51.

''Honestly, I feel good,'' he said. ''I feel healthy, I feel confident, just not making good pitches, that's what it boils down to. You can feel bad out there and still execute good pitches. It doesn't matter how you feel if you don't go out there and execute.''

Ryan Pressly (4-5) got four outs in relief for the win. Brandon Kintzler worked the ninth for his eighth save.

Twins starter Ricky Nolasco lasted just two innings, giving up six runs and walking three.

Trailing 8-5 in the seventh, the Twins surged ahead with five runs. Max Kepler had an RBI triple and scored on Kennys Vargas' double. Vargas scored the tying run on an overturned replay on Rosario's single against Tommy Layne (0-1).

Plate umpire Clint Fagan originally ruled him out on a throw from Bradley, but Vargas slipped his hand in on a head-first slide. Nunez's two-run single made it 10-8.

Sano homered in the eighth.

Ramirez homered as Boston erased a 4-1 deficit with a five-run second, hitting it over the Green Monster after Brock Holt scored on a wild pitch and Dustin Pedroia had an RBI double.

Bradley's run-scoring double made it 7-4.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: C Kurt Suzuki was back in the lineup after getting Friday off, but had to leave to get stitches on his chin after taking a foul off the mask. ... 1B Joe Mauer was rested.

Red Sox: CF Mookie Betts didn't play, resting his right knee after leaving Friday's game. He said he had tests that showed no structural damage and they were ''trying to get the swelling down'' and ''some fluid out.'' ... Farrell said closer Craig Kimbrel could have his first bullpen session ''(Sunday) or Monday'' and could be ''very close'' to a simulated game. Kimbrel had surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee on July 11.

WINDY CONDITIONS

Early strong gusts made for a strange night.

Red Sox TV analyst Jerry Remy was hit in the head by a falling monitor in the booth and was sent home to rest. He's expected back Sunday.

In the first, Minnesota's Robbie Grossman hit a fly into a gust, sending RF Michael Martinez twisting as the ball fell for a triple.

There were a handful of stoppages as dirt from the tracks and litter swirled. Batters stepped out to wipe their eyes and Red Sox 1B Hanley Ramirez headed to the dugout to have a trainer help him clear his left eye.

SEEING DOUBLES

David Ortiz collected his 35th double of the season, tying the record for most by a player 40 or older. The 40-year-old Ortiz tied Sam Rice, who was also 40 and did it in 1930.

UP NEXT

Twins: LHP Tommy Milone (3-2, 4.71 ERA) is set to start the series finale on Sunday.

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (12-2, 3.47) looks to remain unbeaten in his starts at Fenway Park this season. Porcello would become the first in 55 years to open a season 10-0 in Fenway starts since Don Schwall won his first 10 decisions in 1961 before losing in mid- September.

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