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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
BOSTON -- Brad Radke isn't just the Minnesota Twins' best
pitcher. He's also a pretty good pitching coach.
Using a changeup he learned from Radke after a particularly bad
start, Joe Mays pitched seven strong innings Tuesday night to
beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 and win his second consecutive start.
"He showed me how to hold his changeup. It adds another
pitch," said Mays (6-11), who struck out seven and allowed two
runs on seven hits and a walk before leaving in the eighth inning.
"It just came naturally."
David Ortiz went 2-for-3 and drove in an insurance run in the
eighth as Minnesota won for the fifth time in six games. He is
batting .600 (18-for-30) over his last eight games, raising his
average to .302 from .247.
After Nomar Garciaparra singled off Hector Carrasco to lead off
the ninth, Eddie Guardado got the last three outs for his sixth
save. Garciaparra went 2-for-4 to raise his major league-leading
average to .391.
In his only other start at Fenway this year, Mays went 1 1/3
innings and allowed seven earned runs -- an ERA of 47.25. He gave up
seven runs and 12 hits against the Chicago Cubs on July 15 -- two
starts ago -- then went to Radke for advice.
The Twins' ace taught Mays to hold his changeup with his thumb
and forefinger in a circle -- but without the fingertips touching.
When Mays was throwing his changeup with all five fingers on the
ball it only took a few mph off the ball, and it fooled no one.
But the new changeup worked immediately. He allowed one run and
five hits in eight innings in his last start, then helped the
Twins, who lost their first seven meetings with Boston this year,
beat the Red Sox for the second consecutive night.
"We're going to buy some champagne and pop it. A major league
pitcher has thrown two consecutive good games," Twins manager Tom
Kelly said sarcastically, but good-naturedly. "What are you
supposed to do, jump up and down because someone pitches well two
games in a row? I don't think so. Maybe he should call his agent.
"Let's see if he can string some together."
Also Tuesday, state political leaders worked out a deal to help
finance a ballpark to replace Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in
baseball. The deal, which still needs to be approved by the
Legislature and the governor, includes a $5 parking surcharge, a 5
percent ticket tax and a 15 percent tax on luxury boxes.
Ramon Martinez (8-6) allowed five hits and four walks, striking
out three in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up all three of his runs in the
first inning, when he walked three consecutive batters to score one
run before Corey Koskie drove in two more.
"I've got to change something, work a little harder or do
something different," said Martinez, who's had troubles in the
first inning all year.
Martinez had won consecutive outings to snap a streak in which
he won just once in six starts over a month.
But he gave up a double to Jay Canizaro with one out in the
first, then walked Matt Lawton, Ron Coomer and Ortiz to score the
first Minnesota run. Koskie singled off the Green Monster to make
it 3-0.
Brian Daubach singled and scored in the fifth to make it 3-1,
and Jeff Frye doubled and scored on Troy O'Leary's single to cut
the deficit to one run. But Lawton led off the eighth with a
double, moved to third on Coomer's groundout and scored on a single
by Ortiz to make it 4-2.
Game notes
New Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk was at the game, as was
actor Danny DeVito. ... The crowd of 33,668 was Boston's 26th
consecutive sellout. ... The Twins have hit 80 homers through
Monday, fewest in the majors by 18. ... Pedro Martinez was named the American League co-player of the week. He went 2-0 with 27 strikeouts and an ERA of
0.53 for the period from July 17-23. ... Outfielder Carl Everett apologized
to Boston fans for the on-field emotional eruption that resulted in
his 10-game suspension. "I apologize most importantly for not
being on the field during this 10-game period." ... Boston
designated infielder Sean Berry for assignment and activated outfielder Trot Nixon from the disabled list. ... Martinez has lasted past seven innings just once in 20 starts. Red Sox pitchers didn't walk any batters in either of the previous two games.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
Boston Clubhouse
Roundup: Lawmakers, Red Sox reach tentative deal to replace Fenway
Everett drops appeal of suspension, apologizes to Red Sox fans
Steroids discovered in car of Red Sox infielder Alexander
RECAPS
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Detroit 6
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