Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball-Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox 09/20/2024

NESN: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox 09/20/2024

MLB: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox 09/20/2024

Announcers: Dave O’Brien, Lou Merloni, Tom Caron

Game Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is an American League game, between the Minnesota Twins (80-73) and the Boston Red Sox (76-77).
The Twins are coming off dropping 3 out of 4 games against the Guardians in Cleveland. With that series lose along with the Tigers sweeping the Royals earlier in the week, The Twins and Tigers are tied for the final AL Wild Card Spot. Minnesota has the tiebreaker with the Tigers. But this weekend, they need to take 2 out of 3 games against the Red Sox, to secure a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Red Sox.
For the Red Sox, their elimination number is 6 games. They are 4 GB the Twins and Tigers for the final AL Wild Card spot. They need a sweep of the Twins, in order to get the head-to-head tiebreaker against Minnesota.

A critical 3-game series This Weekend, in Boston.

Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of right-handed pitchers. Minnesota will start David Festa (2-6, 5.07 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). While the Red Sox will go with Richard Fitts (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP).

It is the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
Minnesota Twins:
1. Byron Buxton (RHB), CF
2. Trevor Larnach (LHB), LF
3. Carlos Correa (RHB), SS
4. Matt Wallner (LHB), LF
5. Royce Lewis (RHB), DH
6. Willi Castro (SHB), 2B
7. Jose Miranda (RHB), 3B
8. Carlos Santana (SHB), 1B
9. Christian Vázquez (RHB), C
​
Boston Red Sox:
1. Jarren Duran (LHB), LF
2. Rafael Devers (LHB), 3B
3. Tyler O’Neill (RHB), DH
4. Triston Casas (LHB), 1B
5. Wilyer Abreu (LHB), RF
6. Connor Wong (RHB), C
7. Trevor Story (RHB), SS
8. Enmanuel Valdez (LHB), 2B
9. Ceddanne Rafaela (RHB), CF

Twins are in their traveling gray uniforms, with navy caps. While the Red Sox are in their alternate red jerseys, white pants, navy caps. 

Fenway Park Weather:
Temperature: 77F
Wind: Blowing in Fenway Park.
Precipation: Definate Chance for rain.  

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Buxton
2. Larnach
3. Correa
Richard Fitts (RHP) now starting as Red Sox Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 6:11 pm CDT.
Buxton flies out to Abreu (3 pitches). 1 out.
Larnach lines out to a silding Abreu (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Correa hits a 2-out single to right field (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Wallner gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner, in their half of 1st Inning.


Middle of 1st Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
1. Duran
2. Devers
3. O'Neill
David Festa (RHP) now starting as Twins Pitcher.
Duran strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 1 out.
Devers singles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
O'Neill strikes out swinging (11 pitches). 2 outs.
Casas flies out to Buxton (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox strand a base runner.


End of 1st Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Lewis
6. Castro
7. Miranda
Fitts currently at 15 pitches.
Lewis grounds out to Story (2 pitches). 1 out.
Castro grounds ou tto Casas (4 pitches). Casas to Fitts on the putout. 2 outs.
Miranda strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.


Middle of 2nd Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Abreu
6. Wong
7. Story
Festa currently at 24 pitches.
​Abreu lines out to Miranda (4 pitches). 1 out.
Wong gets called out on strikes (8 pitches). 2 outs.
Story strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.


End of 2nd Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Santana
9. Vazquez
1. Buxton, 0-1
Fetts currently at 25 pitches.
Back in July, I Live-Blogged Mets 15-2 Pounding of Twins 
Santana lines out to Valdez (1 ppitch). 1 out.
Vazquez singles to center field (8 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Buxton ines out to a leaping Duran on the Green Monster (1 pitch)! 2 outs.
Larnach grounds out to Valdez (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner.


Middle of 3rd Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Valdez
9. Rafaela 
1. Duran, 0-1
Festa currently at 37 pitches.
Last Month, I Live-Blogged Astros 5-4 Walkoff Win Over Red Sox Thanks to Yainer Diaz 
​Valdez grounds out to Castro (5 pitches). 1 out.
Rafaela grounds out to Castro (7 pitches). 2 outs.
Duran draws a 2-out walk (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Devers at-bat, Duran steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Devers strikes out swinging (8 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox strand a base runner.


End of 3rd Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Correa, 1-1
4. Wallner, 0-1
5. Lewis, 0-1
Fetts currently at 41 pitches.
MLB Scores:
Correa flies out to Abreu (1 pitch). 1 out.
Wallner singles to center field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Lewis singles to left field (6 pitches). Wallner advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Castro grounds out to Casas (2 pitches). Wallner & Lewis move 90 feet. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Miranda strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner.


Middle of 4th Innng:
MIN 0, BOS 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
3. O'Neill, 0-1
4. Casas, 0-1
5. Abreu, 0-1
Festa currenty at 65 pitches.
​O'Neill draws a lead-off walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Casas lines out to Buxton (), 1 out.
Abreu singles to center field (5 pitches). O'Neill advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Wong lines out to Correa (5 pitches). 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Trevor Story hits a RBI-Single to center field (2 pitches). O'Neill scores. Abreu moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. MIN 0, BOS 1
TWINS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR-MIN 3, BOS 4
Valdez strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox scored a run, but stranded a pair of base runners


End of 4th Inning
MIN 0, BOS 1

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Santana, 0-1
9. Vazquez, 0-1
1. Buxton, 0-2
Fetts currently at 56 pitches.
​Santana hits a lead-off single to right field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Vazquez lines out to Abreu (3 pitches). 1 out.
Buxton pops out to Valdez (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Larnach draws a base on balls (12 pitches). Santana moves to 2nd.  Runner on 1st & 2nd.
RED SOX MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-MIN 3, BOS 3
Correa grounds into a 6-4 fielder's choice (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins strand a pair of base runners.


Middle of 5th Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 1

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Rafela, 0-1
1. Duran, 0-1
2. Devers, 1-2
Festa currently at 89 pitches.
​Rafaela lines out to Buxton (4 pitches). 1 out.
Duran singles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Devers draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Duran advances to 1st & 2nd.
TWINS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-MIN 2, BOS 3
DOUBLE PLAY: O'Neill grounds into 6-4-3 double play (2 pitches). 3 outs.

End of 5th Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 1

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Wallner, 1-2
5. Lewis, 1-2
6. Castro, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Luis Guerrero (RHP) replaces Richard Fitts, as Red Sox Pitcher.
Wallner grounds out to Casas (1 pitch). 1 out.
Lewis doubles off the Green Monster (5 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Castro singles to right field (1 pitch). Lewis advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Miranda reaches on a 4-6 fielder's choice (3 pitches). Castro is out at 2nd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Santana flies out to Abreu (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins strand a pair of base runners.


Middle of 6th Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 1

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:​
4. Casas, 0-2
5. Abreu, 1-2
6. Wong, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Caleb Thielbar (LHP) replaces David Festa, as Twins Pitcher.
Casas strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Abreu flies out to Buxton (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Wong hits a 2-out single to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Michael Tonkin (RHP) replaces Caleb Thielbar, as Twins Pitcher.
​STOLEN BASE: With Story at-bat, Wong steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Stoy draws a base on balls (8 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Valdez gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox strand a pair of base runners.

End of 6th Inning:
MIN 0, BOS 1


Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Vazquez, 1-2
1. Buxton, 0-3
2. Larnach, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Chris Martin (RHP) replaces Luis Guerrero, as Red Sox Pitcher.
Vazquez grounds out to Devers (1 pitch). 1 out.
MLB Scores:
Buxton singles to center field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Larnach at-bat, Buxton steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd>
Larnach singles to left field (6 pitches). Buxton advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Correa reaches on 5-4 fielder's choice (2 pitches). Larnach is out at 2nd. Buxton scores. Runner on 1st. 2 outs. MIN 1, BOS 1
Wallner strikes out on a foul tip caught by Wong (6 pitches). 3 outs.

Middle of 7th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1


Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Rafaela, 0-2
1. Duran, 1-2
2. Devers, 1-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Cole Sands (RHP) replaces Michael Tonkin, as Twins Pitcher.
Rafaela hits a lead-off double off the Green Monster (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
​Duran strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Devers strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
O'Neill strikes outs swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox strand a base runner.


End of 7th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Lewis, 2-3
6. Castro, 1-3
7. Miranda, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Lucas Sims (RHP) replaces Chris Martin, as Red Sox Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Nick Sogard replaces Enmanuel Valdez at 2nd Base.
​Lewis strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Castro draws a base on balls (10 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PINCH-HITTING: Brooks Lee pinch-hitting for Jose Miranda.
RED SOX MOUND VISIT #3: MVR-MIN 2, BOS 1
Lee flies out to Rafaela (2 pitches). 2 outs.
With Santana at bat, Castro is caught stealing by Wong. Wong to Story on the putout. 3 outs.
Santana will lead-off Top of 9th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Casas, 0-3
5. Abreu, 1-3
6. Wong, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Jhoan Duran (RHP) replaces Cole Sands, as Twins Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Brooks Lee stays in the game, playing 3rd Base.
Kenley Jansen (RHP) warming up in Red Sox Bullpen.
Casas gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 1 out.
Abreu strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Wong hits a 2-out single off Lee and into left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Story doubles to right field (2 pitches). Wong advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
PINCH-HITTING: Masataka Yoshida pinch-hitting for Nick Sogard.
TWINS MOUND VISIT #3: MIN 1, BOS 1
Yoshida gets hit by a pitch (4 pitches). Bases Loaded.
Rafaela lines out to Castro (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox strand the bases loaded. 


End of 8th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Santana,, 1-3
9. Vazquez, 1-3
1. Buxton, 1-4
PITCHING CHANGE: Kenley Jansen (RHP) replaces Lucas Sims, as Red Sox Pitcher.
​DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Romy Gonzalez in the game, playing 2nd Base.
Santana grounds out to Gonzalez (2 pitches). 1 out.
Vazquez grounds out to Devers (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Buxton flies out to Rafaela (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins go down 1-2-3, in their half of 9th Inning.

Middle of 9th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Duran, 1-3
2. Devers, 1-3
3. O'Neil, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Ronny Henriquez (RHP) replaces Jhoan Duran, as Twins Pitcher.
Duran hits a lead-off single to center field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Devers gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 1 out.
O'Neill strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
With Casas at-bat, Duran advances to 3rd on a wild pitch by Henriquez.
Twins elect to intentionally pass Casas. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Louie Varland (RHP) replaces Ronny Henriquez, as Twins Pitcher.
​Abreu strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox strand a pair of base runners.

End of 9th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Top of 10th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Larnach, 1-3
3. Correa, 1-4, RBI
4. Wallner, 1-4
PITCHING CHANGE; Josh Winckowski (RHP) replaces Kenley Jansen, as Red Sox Pitcher.
GHOST RUNNER: Byron Buxton will be a ghost runner to begin the 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Larnac lines out to Casas (1 pitch). 1 out.
Correa hits an infield single to third base (6 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Wallner fouls out to Devers (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Lewis fouls out to Devers (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Twins strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 10th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Bottom of 10th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Wong, 2-4
7. Story, 2-3
8. Gonzalez
​Varland currently at 4 pitches.
GHOST RUNNER: Wilyer Abreu starts the Bottom of 10th Inning at 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Wong sac bunts to Lee (2 pitches). Lee to Castro on the putout. Abreu moves to 3rd. 
Twins elect to intentionally pass Trevor Story. Runnerso n 1st & 3rd.
Gonzalez reaches on a 1-2 fielder's choice (3 pitches). Abreu is out at home. Story advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
With Rafaela at-bat, Gonzalez advances to 2nd on a defensive indifference. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Rafaela strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.

End of 10th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Top of 11th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Castro, 1-3
7. Lee, 0-1
8. Santana, 1-4
Winckowski still pitching for Red Sox.
GHOST RUNNER: Royce Lewis begins Top of 11th at 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Castro strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 1 out.
Lee pops out to Gonzalez (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Santana draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Margot gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Twins strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 11th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Bottom of 11th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Duran, 2-4
2. Grissom
3. O'Neill, 0-4
​PITCHING CHANGE: Scott Blewett (RHP) replaces Louie Varland, as Twins Pitcher.
GHOST RUNNER: Rafaela starts the Bottom of 11th Inning at 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd. 
Twins elect to intentionally pass Duran. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Grissom reaches on a 4-6 fielder's choice (5 pitches). Duran is out at 2nd. Rafaela advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
With O'Neill at-bat, Grissom advances to 2nd on a defensive indifference. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
O'Neill strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Casas strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox stranded a pair of base runners.

End of 11th Inning:
MIN 1, BOS 1

Top of 12th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Buxton, 1-5
2. Larnach, 1-4
3. Correa, 2-6, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Cooper Criswell (RHP) repalces Greg Weissert, as Red Sox Pitcher.
GHOST RUNNER: Kyle Farmer starts the Top of 12th at 2nd. Runner on 2nd.
​Buxton singles to left field (4 pitches). Farmer advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Trevor Larnach hits a RBI-Single to left field (3 pitches). Farmers scores. Buxton advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. MIN 2, BOS 1
Correa draws a bases loaded walk (6 pitches). 
RBI-SINGLE: Matt Wallner hits a RBI-Single to right field (1 pitch). Buxton scores. Larnach & Correa move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. MIN 3, BOS 1
Lewis strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: Castro hits RBI-Sac-Fly to Abreu (2 pitches). Larnach scores. Correa moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. 2 outs. MIN 4, BOS 1
Jeffers flies out to Abreu (2 pitches). 3 outs.

Middle of 12th Inning:
MIN 4, BOS 1

Bottom of 12th Inning:
5. Abreu, 1-5
6. Wong, 2-4
7. Story, 2-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Griffin Jax (RHP) replaces Scott Blewett, as Twins Pitcher.
GHOST RUNNER: Triston Casas starts Bottom of 12th Inning at 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Abreu grounds out to Santana, unassisted (3 pitches).  Casas advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
Wong grounds out to Correa (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Story strikes out on a foul tip (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Red Sox scored a run, but not enough.

Final/12 Innings:
MIN 4, BOS 1
MIN: (81-73)
BOS: (76-78)
W: Blewett (1-0)
L: Criswell (6-5)
SV: Jax (10)
PoG: Trevor Larnach (MIN) 2-5 RBI
ToG: 3:58

Final Thoughts: 
An ugly game, for two teams fighting a postseason bid. The Red Sox lost this game by going 1-for-19 and left 17 men on base. The victorious Twins were 6-for-15 and left 15 on base. But Minnesota scored 4 runs, to win this critical 1st of 3-game series in Boston.

With the win; along with the loss to the Tigers, they regain the lead for the 3rd and final AL Wild Card spot by a game.

Minnesota and Boston will play Tomorrow Afternoon. The Twins will go with Pablo Lopez. While the Red Sox will go with Kutter Crawford. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this post.