FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins came out swinging against new Red Sox ace David Price, getting back-to-back homers from Eduardo Escobar and Kurt Suzuki in the second inning en route to an 8-2 victory on Thursday afternoon at JetBlue Park.
Price settled down over his three-inning performance, giving up four hits and two runs while walking one and striking out three in his Grapefruit League debut.
"I felt good. Right now, in Spring Training, the biggest thing is getting out there and throwing pitches, going back and sitting down in the dugout and going back out there," Price said. "The body felt good. Made some pitches and didn't execute some, but that's to be expected early on."
Pitching against most of Boston's projected Opening Day lineup, Twins righty Ervin Santana was tremendous, retiring all nine batters he faced and striking out three of them.
"That's what happens when you throw strikes," Santana said. "I had very good command today -- my fastball location, my slider, my changeup. It was good."
The Twins had a perfect game going through 5 1/3 innings until Dan Butler broke it up with an infield single.
The Twins, meanwhile, heated up again after Price's exit, putting up a five-spot in the fourth against Heath Hembree. Carlos Quentin started that rally with a solo homer.
Brian Dozier, Quentin, Escobar and Suzuki had two hits each for the Twins before departing.
David Murphy, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee and is trying to land a spot on Boston's 25-man roster, hit a two-run single in the eighth inning.
Up next for the Twins: Right-hander Kyle Gibson gets the start for the Twins on Friday when they host the Marlins at 12:05 p.m. CT. Gibson tossed two scoreless innings in his debut against the Rays on Sunday. Other pitchers scheduled to see action include Keivn Jepsen, Ryan O'Rourke and Nick Burdi.
Up next for the Red Sox: The starting outfield of Rusney Castillo, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts will be on display in Friday's 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Christian Vazquez will play his second game behind the plate in his comeback from Tommy John Surgery. Knuckleballer Steven Wright, who is battling for a spot in the rotation or bullpen, will start, and the game will air on MLB.TV.