David Ortiz, Mike Napoli Belt Back-to-Back HRs as Sox Sweep Twins

David Ortiz and Mike Napoli launched back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the 10th to give the Boston Red Sox a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-1 win and a three-game sweep over the visiting Minnesota Twins.

The Red Sox mustered one hit through the first nine innings—a fifth-inning double by Daniel Nava—before the extra innings heroics from their two sluggers. Ortiz wrapped his solo shot just inside the Pesky Pole in right. Napoli belted his homer to the center-field bleachers to give the Red Sox a walk-off win.

The Twins’ Kyle Gibson and the Red Sox’s John Lackey each had impeccable outings. Gibson, who retired the first 14 batters he faced, struck out eight in seven innings of scoreless work. Lackey tossed nine innings of no-run baseball, striking out nine and surrendering just three hits. Lackey has allowed three or fewer runs in six straight starts.

Entering the 10th of a no-score contest, the Red Sox sent closer Koji Uehara to the hill. Uehara, who entered the day with a 0.57 ERA, gave up a two-out solo home run to Chris Parmelee. The homer snapped Uehara's scoreless streak at 21 2/3 innings.

Parmelee, who hit a walk-off home run off Andrew Miller in Minnesota on May 13, appeared to be the hero again for the Twins. But, Casey Fien was not able to seal the deal, allowing solo homers against Ortiz and Napoli as the reeling Twins lost their fifth consecutive game

The Red Sox managed to sweep the Twins, despite scoring just five runs all series. The Twins mustered just two runs in the three-game set, losing each contest by one run. 

Burke Badenhop: Unsung Hero of Boston Red Sox Bullpen

               

               Burke Badenhop has been one of the most reliable relievers for the Boston 
Red Sox this season. The 31-year-old right-hander owns a 1.64 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 32 appearances out of the bullpen.

                The efforts of Badenhop have at times gone under the radar because of the impressive work of Junichi Tazawa (2.40 ERA) and Andrew Miller (2.48 ERA), two relievers that were integral parts of Boston’s World Series title run in 2013. Badenhop, who signed with the Red Sox in the offseason, is largely overshadowed because of closer Koji Uehara, the 2013 ALCS MVP and the current holder of an otherworldly 0.57 ERA.

                Badenhop maneuvered through a shaky eighth inning in the Red Sox’s 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, loading the bases before striking out the Twins’ Brian Dozier to end the threat.

                “Just made some big pitches, got a righty back up there (in Dozier),” Badenhop said, per MassLive.com. “I wasn’t going to miss over the plate to [Danny] Santana, end up hitting him knowing I’ve got a base open there, and getting to Dozier and kind of going toe-to-toe with him there and getting a good slider.”

                With 2/3 inning of no-run work in Monday’s win, Badenhop extended his streak to 30 innings without allowing an earned run. The 30-inning stretch is the third-longest relief streak without an earned run in Red Sox history — trailing only and Dick Radatz (33 innings in 1963) and Uehara (33 2/3 innings in 2013) — for the franchise record.

                "With where we were, Hop (Badenhop) has gained an awful lot of trust as the year has gone on," said Red Sox manager John Farrell, via MassLive.com. "We know he's got to be careful to left-handers and he makes a key pitch with a slider to punch out (Brian) Dozier to end a bases-loaded threat."

                Badenhop’s historical run is remarkable, given his abysmal start to the year that saw the reliever give up six earned runs in six innings in his first four appearances of the season.  Badenhop, who leads all MLB relievers with 10 ground-ball double plays, has a legitimate shot to make the American League All-Star team.

                Badenhop has emerged as a critical cog in a Red Sox bullpen that ranks fourth in the big leagues with a 2.80 ERA.

De La Rosa's Gem Pushes Red Sox Past Twins

Rubby De La Rosa is congratulated by David Ross after a stellar outing. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

Rubby De La Rosa tossed seven scoreless innings as the Boston Red Sox slipped past the Minnesota Twins 1-0 in the first of a three-game set at Fenway Park.

Making his fourth start of the year, De La Rosa (2-2) surrendered just one hit as he retired the final 13 Twins’ batters he faced. Overall, the 25-year-old right-hander set down 21 of 23 hitters in a dominant outing.

A sacrifice fly in the fifth inning off the bat of A.J. Pierzynski scored Daniel Nava from third and provided the only offense in a pitchers duel.

Kevin Correia (3-8) was the hard-luck loser for the Twins, allowing just one run off five hits in six innings of work.

Red Sox reliever Andrew Miller struck out Oswaldo Arcia to lead off the eighth inning, the only batter the southpaw faced. Burke Badenhop finished the eighth inning off for the Red Sox, but not before the Twins put a scare into the sold-out crowd in Boston. Badenhop loaded the bases, but got Brian Dozier to strike out swinging to get out of the jam.

Koji Uehara remained perfect in 15 save chances this season, shutting the Twins down in order in the ninth to secure the victory. Uehara, who lowered his ERA to 0.57, extended his streak to 31 straight saves over the past two regular seasons.

De La Rosa has yet to give up a run in 14 innings pitched at home this season. In his other Fenway start, De La Rosa also pitched seven shutout innings, holding Tampa Bay to four hits in win.

Tuesday night will feature the Twins’ Phil Hughes (7-2, 3.17) going up against Jon Lester (7-7, 3.33) for Boston.

Jon Lester Strikes Out Career-High 15 as Red Sox Beat A's 6-3

Jon Lester walks off the mound with all smiles after striking out the side in the eighth. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jon Lester delivered his best outing of the season on Saturday, striking out a career-high 15 batters in the Boston Red Sox’s 6-3 triumph over the visiting Oakland A’s.

The southpaw was able to set the tone early in the matinee, retiring the side in the first inning on just nine pitches. Lester’s red-hot start continued as he struck out nine of the first 13 batters he faced.

The A’s were only able to muster one hit off Lester, a leadoff bloop single in the top of the third by Craig Gentry.

Lester (3-4) walked just two batters and threw 119 pitches in eight scoreless innings. He became the first Red Sox pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2001 to record 15 strikeouts in a game. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lester is the first left-handed starter with 15 strikeouts with just one-hit surrendered since Randy Johnson accomplished the feat in 1997 as a member of the Seattle Mariners.

The Red Sox were paced on offense by a grand slam for the second consecutive game. A day after Dustin Pedroia cleared the bases on a tapering shot to left field, Jonny Gomes was able to add a four-run shot of his own over the Green Monster that gave the Red Sox an early 4-0 cushion.

David Ortiz increased the lead in the bottom of the third with a solo homer beyond the bullpens in right. Ortiz now has hit 379 home runs with the Red Sox, tying him with Dwight Evans for fourth in franchise history. For his career, Ortiz has belted 437 homers, just one shy of tying Hall of Famer Andre Lawson and current Cleveland Indians backup designated hitter Jason Giambi for 40^th place on the all-time list.

Chris Capuano was unable to put away the A’s quietly in the ninth. Laden by two errors, the lefty reliever gave up three runs (two earned) without recording a single out.

Koji Uehara came to the rescue for the Red Sox. The 39-year-old closer entered the game with runners on first and second, before giving up a walk to A’s slugger Yoenis Cespedes. The A’s were unable to capitalize on the bases-loaded no-out situation as Uehara buckled down, getting Derek Nooris to ground into a force out at home, before striking out Alberto Callaspo and then retiring Brandon Moss via a line out to right to end the contest. Uehara picked up his seventh save of the season as the Red Sox defeated the club with the most wins in the American league for the second straight day.

Koji Uehara Expected Back for Series Against White Sox

Koji Uehara was unavailable to pitch against the New York Yankees, but the closer is likely to be ready for the series against the Chicago White Sox. (Bob DeChiara/ USA Today Sports)

After being sidelined for the four-game series over the weekend in the Bronx against the New York Yankees with shoulder soreness, Koji Uehara is expected to rejoin the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday for the start of their three-game set against the Chicago White Sox.

Uehara underwent an MRI on Monday at Massachusetts General Hospital that revealed no structural damage in his right shoulder, likely meaning the 37-year-old will avoid a stint on the disabled list. The right-hander is projected to be available in Chicago as the Red Sox continue their road trip.

“He was really able to generate good arm speed. He’s moving past some of the concerns, mentally, that he had,” manager John Farrell told reporters, via WEEI.com. “During the time he was throwing, he felt better than he actually expected…We’re hopeful and expecting him to return to us in Chicago. We’d still like to get him off a mound in a bullpen session or get him back in a game, but today overall was very good news regarding Koji.”

Uehara has been flawless in his five one-inning relief appearances this season, allowing no runs and giving up just three hits. The Red Sox’s closer has recorded both save opportunities, striking out seven batters in five-innings pitched in 2014.   

John Farrell Must Remove Andrew Bailey As Closer

John Farrell has no choice but to relieve Andrew Bailey of his closing duties. The Boston Red Sox were on the verge of a narrow 3-2 victory last night at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers, before Bailey let up a two-run, walk-off home run to Tigers’ shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

Bailey has now blown three saves in his last five chances. Bailey surrendered the game-tying run in the in the top of the ninth inning in the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jonnny Gomes was able to bail out Bailey that night by crushing a walk-off home run over the Green Monster in left field.  But last night, Bailey was not able to get away with blowing the save, costing the Red Sox a victory.

In Bailey’s last five appearances, he’s given up four home runs and walked batters, allowing seven earned runs in the process.

Farrell hinted at a change at the closer position following last night’s deflating loss to the Tigers.

“Yes, I think so,” Farrell said when asked if he’ll look at other options to close out games. “That might be backing him out of that [role] to get him some work to get on track a little more. We’ll talk more about that internally, about making a potential change.”

Since returning from the disabled list in early May, Bailey has been plagued by a decrease in velocity. His fastball is getting racked by seemingly every batter he opposes. Farrell has noticed this disturbing trend in Bailey’s velocity.

“The velocity hasn’t come back like it was before the DL stint,” Farrell said. “There’s work being done, through long-toss program, through the work that’s being done with the strength and medical staff here. He doesn’t talk of any inflammation or any uncomfortable feeling in the shoulder and yet the results are what they are.”

Bailey, meanwhile, shrugged off the notion that he is not 100 percent healthy as he believes his velocity will improve over time.

“I feel fine,” Bailey said. “I feel great. There are peaks and valleys in this game with velocity in outings. Right now I’ve got a little bit of both going and I’ll come out of it.”

It’s encouraging to hear that Bailey still has confidence in his abilities, but the fact of the matter is the Red Sox can’t keep giving games away if they want to remain in first place in the American League East. Bailey is just 8 for 12 in closing opportunities this year, proving that he should no longer be pitching the final inning for the Sox.

Farrell has plenty of internal options to replace Bailey at the closer. He could move set-up man Koji Uehara  into to the closing role. Uehara has shown he can retire batters in critical situations as he has recorded 13 holds and one save on the season, posting a 2.10 ERA in the process. If not Uehara, then maybe Farrell could slide Junichi Tazawa or Andrew Miller into the closing role. Tazawa has a 2.51 ERA on the season with 11 holds, while Miller posts a 2.77 ERA with 5 holds on the year.

Tazawa, Uehara and Miller all have the potential to close games. Bailey is still an important component of the Red Sox bullpen, but his struggles in the ninth inning cannot be overlooked and therefore Farrell has to select a new closer moving forward.