Twins Blank Red Sox 6-0 on Abel's 7 Scoreless, Buxton's 2 HRs
In Minneapolis, the Minnesota Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-0 on Tuesday night, powered by a dominant pitching performance from Mick Abel and a standout night at the plate for Byron Buxton.
Abel, making his third start of the season after two uneven outings, delivered seven scoreless innings, allowing just four scattered hits and striking out a career-high 10 batters without issuing a walk. Acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at last year's trade deadline in exchange for closer Jhoan Duran, the right-hander threw only 90 pitches and credited his changeup for keeping the Red Sox off balance. At one point, he retired five consecutive batters via strikeout, stifling any potential rallies from the last-place American League East team, which was held scoreless for the first time this season.
Buxton led the Twins' offense, going 4 for 5 with two home runs and four runs scored. He opened the scoring in the first inning with a single, advancing on a balk by Red Sox starter Sonny Gray and crossing the plate on Luke Keaschall's RBI single. Initially ruled out at home, Buxton signaled for a challenge from the dugout, and manager Derek Shelton's successful review overturned the...