Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Francisco Liriano struck out eight in seven strong innings and Michael Cuddyer stroked a two-run homer as part of a 15-hit attack, as Minnesota thoroughly dominated Boston, 8-0, to win its first-ever series at Target Field.
Francisco Liriano Delivers Strong Outing, Twins Shutout Red Sox, 8-0
Cuddyer finished 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs batted in, and Denard Span doubled twice and drove in two for the Twins, who claimed the opener at their new home here on Monday before succumbing to the Red Sox and John Lackey in a 6-3 loss Wednesday.
Liriano (1-0) was dominant in his second start of the season, allowing just six runners to reach base on four hits and a pair of walks. The promising lefty needed only 96 pitches to tear through Boston’s lineup for his first career win versus the Sox in three starts.
“All my pitches were working really good today. My arm feels great, mentally I feel great,” Liriano said. “The guys behind me made some plays. I was fortunate to throw a lot of first-pitch strikes.”
Justin Morneau and Nick Punto added three hits apiece. Morneau collected his seventh RBI on the young season, while Punto scored twice.
Boston's knuckleball specialist Tim Wakefield (0-1) was hit around for six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Dustin Pedroia had three of the six hits for Boston, which had taken two of three from Kansas City prior to helping the Twins christen their new ballpark.
The Red Sox had their best chance at getting to Liriano in the first two innings. Pedroia reached on a single and Victor Martinez doubled for Boston's lone extra base hit on the day with one out in the first. Kevin Youkilis, though, went down swinging and Adrian Beltre grounded out to end the threat.
Mike Lowell opened the second with a single and Bill Hall walked with one away. But Liriano escaped the frame without further incident and proceeded to set down the next 11 in order while the Twins built up a 4-0 lead.
“(He was) pretty sharp. When he’s throwing strikes he’s tough,” said Lowell of Liriano. “He’s got really good stuff. He’s got three plus pitches. He did a good job.”
Jim Thome started a two-out rally in the second with a base hit, Jason Kubel followed suit and J.J. Hardy knocked in the game's first run with a single to center.
Minnesota tacked on three more runs in the fifth. Punto opened with a double and Span flared another two-bagger down the left-field line for a 2-0 edge. Joe Mauer was given an intentional free pass two batters later and Morneau poked a single into right field to chase home Span. Mauer moved to third on the play, then came home on a Cuddyer sacrifice fly.
Span smashed a two-run double into the right-field corner an inning later for a 6-0 game and Cuddyer followed a Morneau hit to open the seventh by popping a two-run homer off Scott Schoeneweis to account for the final score.
Jose Mijares worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth by getting Beltre to bounce into an inning-ending double play, and Ron Mahay finished out the win with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Cuddyer homered for the second straight game...The Red Sox made three errors in a sloppy defensive effort...Boston next returns home for a 10-game homestand beginning with Friday' opener to a four-game series with Tampa Bay...The Twins remain home for a weekend series with the Royals...Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron was scratched with a lower abdominal strain...Boston was already without outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is nursing bruised ribs...Slumping Sox slugger David Ortiz was give the day off.
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