Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Kevin Youkilis hit a three-run homer and drove in four, while Jon Lester went the distance, as Boston trounced Minnesota, 6-2, in the back end of a two-game series from Fenway Park.
Jon Lester Dominates Twins With Complete Game Gem
Adrian Beltre homered, and Victor Martinez hit three doubles and scored twice for the Red Sox, who swept the set and have won three games in a row.
Lester (4-2) turned in his first complete game of the season, scattering six hits and a pair of runs -- one earned -- while fanning nine without walking a batter.
Joe Mauer and Delmon Young knocked in a run each for the Twins, who have dropped five of their last seven.
Francisco Liriano (4-3) was charged in defeat for five hits and five runs, fanning six with three walks over 4 2/3 innings.
Beltre's one-out solo homer put the Sox on the board in the second, then Youkilis added a three-run blast to center in the third. Dustin Pedroia walked and Martinez doubled prior to the homer.
Youkilis slugged a double to left in the fifth which plated Martinez, who doubled in the previous at-bat, for a five-run Red Sox edge.
It was 6-0 Boston in the sixth as Beltre led off with a double, moved to third on a J.D. Drew groundout and scored on a wild pitch.
Lester was in control throughout, retiring 10 of the first 12 batters he faced; he was also the beneficiary of two double plays in the first four innings. He stranded Justin Morneau on second after his leadoff double in the fifth, then turned aside Minnesota in order in the sixth and seventh.
The Twins broke through in the eighth, as Michael Cuddyer doubled, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly from Young.
Lester allowed a Mauer groundout RBI with one out in the ninth before fanning Morneau swinging and getting Cuddyer on a flyout to left.
Boston has won seven of 11 over Minnesota since the start of last season...Lester has five career complete games...Liriano has lost his last three starts after winning four straight...Both teams begin interleague play on Friday, as the Red Sox take on the Phillies in Philadelphia and the Twins host Milwaukee.
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