Twins at Red Sox
The Minnesota Twins look for their 13th victory in 18 games when they open a four-game series against the host Boston Red Sox on Thursday. The Twins arrive with momentum after outscoring the Blue Jays 25-9 en route to their first sweep in Toronto since April 11-13, 2003.
Mitch Garver went 4-for-6 with a homer and a career-best five RBIs while Minnesota broke loose for sixth 11th-inning runs in Wednesday's 12-6 win over the Blue Jays. Joe Mauer contributed three hits and three RBIs for his fourth multi-hit performance in six contests, with the 35-year-old going 11-for-29 during that stretch. The Red Sox, who had their contest against Baltimore on Wednesday postponed by rain while holding a 5-0 second-inning lead, will take another shot at recording their 16th victory in 19 games. Mookie Betts leads the major leagues with a .351 batting average and is hitting a torrid .380 with 10 multi-hit efforts this month.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (4-7, 3.57 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-3, 3.81)
Gibson's bid for a third straight victory came to an end on Friday as he gave up four runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Kansas City. The 30-year-old owns a 3.18 ERA and has limited opponents to a .204 batting average in 10 road starts but possesses just a 2-3 record. Gibson is 1-3 with a 3.06 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox, including a loss on June 21 in which he gave up two runs and seven hits over six frames.
Johnson is making his sixth start of the season but is slated to return to the bullpen after the outing versus the Twins. The 27-year-old lost to Detroit in his last turn despite allowing only two unearned runs and five hits over five innings. Johnson, who gave up one run in one frame of relief against the Twins earlier this season, has posted a porous 5.10 ERA in 15 home appearances (two starts) this year compared to a 2.22 mark in 11 road games (three starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota INF Taylor Motter was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for RHP Ervin Santana, who pitched five innings on Wednesday in his season debut following finger surgery.
2. The Red Sox acquired RHP Nathan Eovaldi from Tampa Bay on Wednesday for LHP Jalen Beeks.
3. Garver is 7-for-10 in his last two games while LF Eddie Rosario has gone 5-for-10 over his last two contests and has recorded seven multi-hit performances in his last 10 outings.