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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Boston Red Sox rookie Paxton Crawford was an
unlikely candidate to beat the pitcher who signed the richest
contract in Minnesota Twins history.
But Crawford, in his second major league start on Thursday
night, led Boston to an 8-7 victory over Minnesota and Brad Radke,
who earlier this week agreed to a four-year, $36 million contract.
Crawford (1-1) gave up one run on six hits through seven innings
to help the Red Sox complete a four-game sweep. Boston, which got a
pair of two-run homers by Nomar Garciaparra on Thursday, scored 44
runs in the series.
"This is one of the happiest days of my life, getting my first
big league win," Crawford said. "I'm glad that one's over. It was
fun pitching tonight."
Radke (5-10) made his first start since agreeing to the contract
Monday. He pitched seven innings and gave up eight runs on seven
hits in his worst outing of the season.
Radke allowed two-run homers in the first, third and sixth
innings. He had gone four starts without giving up a homer.
"(Radke) pitched pretty good," Twins manager Tom Kelly said.
"But if you're going to throw a 3-0 strike to Nomar, it better be
a good one."
Garciaparra was 2-for-4 with four RBIs in his first two-homer
game this season and 12th of his career. He's hitting .404
(19-for-47) in his last 11 games. His second home run came on a 3-0
pitch.
"I think we did a great job this whole series swinging the
bats," Garciaparra said. "We've got to continue that."
Radke said he didn't necessarily feel different after resolving
his status for next season, which had been the subject of
speculation since spring training.
"We're struggling right now and I needed to do a better job
tonight," Radke said. "But it did feel good to get on the mound
again."
Boston manager Jimy Williams said Crawford, who spent the
previous two seasons in Double-A Trenton before being promoted to
the majors July 1, showed good poise.
"He pitched very good. He settled in," Williams said. "We
made some very good plays behind him."
Crawford used a fastball, changeup and slider to keep Minnesota
batters off balance. Though he was called up when Pedro Martinez
went on the disabled list, Crawford said he isn't focusing on
whether he'll return to the minors when Martinez is reactivated
next week.
"I'm not worried about that," Crawford said. "I got my first
win tonight."
Brian Daubach was also 2-for-4 with four RBIs for the Red Sox. It was the fifth straight loss for the Twins, who have lost 12
of their last 19. Carl Everett walked in the sixth and Garciaparra hit the next
pitch for his second homer of the game into the left-field
bleachers.
Garciaparra's homer in the first, which gave Boston a 2-0 lead,
was the first homer given up by Radke since June 16 against the
Mariners.
The Twins cut the lead to 2-1 in the first, when Midre Cummings,
who led off the game with a single, scored on Ron Coomer's
sacrifice fly.
Minnesota scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth, including
a two-run shot by David Ortiz, his second home run in as many
nights.
"We made it interesting at the end," Kelly said. "We rallied
at the end, but gave up too many runs."
Cristian Guzman was 4-for-5 for Minnesota with two RBIs.
Game notes
Red Sox outfielder Troy O'Leary left with one out in the
eighth after colliding with Garciaparra while trying to field a fly
ball. Garciaparra's shoulder smashed into O'Leary's chest and both
were on the ground for a few moments before O'Leary walked off.
Williams said O'Leary's bruised chest would be evaluated Friday,
but he didn't appear to be seriously hurt. ... It was the first
time this season Radke gave up more than two homers in a start. ...
The Red Sox improved to 7-0 against the Twins this season. ...
After the game, the Twins announced Butch Huskey would be optioned
to Triple-A Salt Lake and Chad Allen would be recalled. Huskey has
three days to decide whether he will report to Salt Lake.
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