Prospects lift Red Sox past Twins

March 4th, 2016

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox rallied for three runs in the eighth inning, keyed by a two-run double from prospect Marco Hernandez and a go-ahead RBI single from Rainel Rosario in a 6-5 win over the Twins on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium.
Left-hander Taylor Rogers, who is competing for a spot in Minnesota's bullpen, gave up the three runs after the Twins took the lead in the seventh on an RBI single from veteran Carlos Quentin.
Danny Santana had three RBIs for the Twins, including a two-run homer in the sixth. His shot came off left-hander Williams Jerez before Quentin gave the Twins the lead with his RBI single off right-hander Pat Light in the seventh. Santana followed with a sacrifice fly to left.

The Red Sox scored three runs in the fourth against Twins right-hander Ricky Nolasco. Travis Shaw started the rally with a double to right-center field, as Miguel Sano was tested for the first time at his new position in right. Sano cut the ball off in the gap, but his throw bounced back into the infield to allow Shaw to reach second.
After a Bryce Brentz walk, Sano was tested for a second time, as Brennan Boesch hit a hard liner to right and Sano was unable to handle it. Sano tried to make a leaping catch, but it sailed over his head for an RBI double. Ryan Hanigan followed with an RBI groundout before Allen Craig brought home Boesch with a single to center.

Right-hander Rick Porcello made the start for Boston, allowing one run on three hits over two innings. The lone run he allowed came on an RBI single to right from Byung Ho Park in the second. It was the first hit for the Korean slugger, who was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his debut on Wednesday. It scored Sano, who doubled off the wall in right to open the inning.
"I was just trying to establish the sinker down in the zone and just looking to work both sides of the plate," Porcello said. "That's our primary focus for today. And the next start moving forward is to continue to work on getting that ball down."
Right-hander Tyler Duffey started for the Twins, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He was removed after issuing a one-out walk in the second on his 36th pitch.
"It felt good," Duffey said. "It's good to get out there. It was definitely different. But I had never pitched in a Grapefruit League game before. So it was a good time. A packed house, you can't ask for much more."

Up next for the Red Sox: Star slugger David Ortiz, entering his final season, makes his Grapefruit League debut in Friday's 1:05 p.m. ET home game against the Rays. Righty Joe Kelly, trying to win the fifth starter's job, will be on the mound. Closer Craig Kimbrel, acquired in an offseason trade with the Padres, will see his first action in a Boston uniform.
Up next for the Twins: The Twins leave Fort Myers for the first time this spring, as they travel to Bradenton to face the Pirates on Friday at 1:05 p.m. ET (12:05 CT). Left-hander Tommy Milone, who is competing for the final spot in the rotation, makes the start for Minnesota. Other pitchers slated to see action include Ryan Pressly, Fernando Abad, Alex Meyer and Ryan O'Rourke. Watch live on MLB.TV.