Red Sox 4, Twins 3
David Ortiz' infield hit drove in the go-ahead run and No. 9 hitter Darnell McDonald ripped a two-run homer as the Boston Red Sox defeated the host Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Tuesday.
The Red Sox, who increased their lead to 2 1/2 games over the New York Yankees in the American League East, have won five straight against the Twins.
After Minnesota's Tsuyoshi Nishioka tied the game 3-3 with an RBI double high off the wall in the sixth, Boston loaded the bases in the seventh. Ortiz, who began his career in Minnesota, hit a chopper that pitcher Phil Dumatrait could not field cleanly.
McDonald's blast tied it 2-2 in the fifth and Jason Varitek's RBI single in the sixth gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead.
Jonathan Papelbon got his 26th save in 27 opportunities and Adrian Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with his 35th double of the season for Boston.
The Twins, who have lost six straight and nine of 10, issued nine walks.