All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 8-3 loss to the Twins, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Hill didn't have it: On a day when the wind is blowing out at Fenway Park, it doesn't take much for a couple of pitches to prove costly, and that was the case for Red Sox starter Rich Hill. The veteran lefty didn't locate where he wanted to Kyle Garlick in the first inning and to Jorge Polanco in the third inning, and both times, his pitches resulted in two-run homers. Garlick's just barely cleared the yellow line at the top of the left-field wall, and needed a replay ruling to validate it. Those two swings produced four runs for the Twins, and alone, would have given the visitor's a win. Hill was otherwise fine, allowing three other singles and limiting damage. But the two homers proved especially costly and he was lifted after 4.2 innings. "I've got to throw the ball better,'' concluded Hill, who was making his first appearance at Fenway in a Sox uniform since 2015. "This is a game of results and that loss is on me.''
Offense misses chances: Though the Red Sox managed just three runs, they had opportunities for more. In the fifth, they had baserunners at first and second with no out, but could produce just one run. In the sixth, they had runners at second and third, but couldn't score. And in the eighth inning, consecutive singles by J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo gave the Sox two on and just one out, but again, they came away empty-handed. Even a second-and-third, no-out scenario in the ninth yielded just one run. For the game, the Sox were just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. "It doesn't look great,'' said Alex Cora, "because we're swinging and making outs. But we're attacking where we want to attack, which is important. Overall, although we didn't cash in, I was pleased with the way we were hunting for certain areas, certain pitches and putting good swings on them.''
COVID hits Sox clubhouse: For the first time in 2022, the Red Sox are dealing with a COVID outbreak. Catcher Kevin Plawecki tested positive before the game, dressed and left the clubhouse before the game began. Two other unidentified staff members -- not members of the coaching staff -- also tested positive. The Sox summoned Connor Wong from Worcester to take Plawecki's spot on the roster. Plawecki, who is vaccinated, must now wait as many as 10 days under MLB's COVID protocol policy, though if he records two negative tests and doesn't show signs of a fever, it's possible that the joint COVID committee could allow him to return to action sooner. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have to have at least some concern about further spread on the team.
SECOND GUESS
Kutter Crawford struggled from his very first batter, issuing a leadoff walk to the No. 8 hitter in the Minnesota lineup. It was all downhill from there. Crawford worked out of that jam in the seventh, but in the eighth, it was clear he had no feel for the strike zone. He walked the first two hitters he faced that inning, then after recording a couple of outs, tossed a wild pitch and walked two more (one intentionally). At that point, it would have seemed like a good idea to get him out of the game, but Cora stuck with him and a two-run single followed before Crawford got the hook. Maybe it wouldn't have made a huge difference -- the Sox trailed 4-2 heading into the eighth -- but it might have made things more interesting if Cora had made a change earlier and found someone who could throw strikes.
TWO UP
Rafael Devers: Devers had just one single in five trips, but made his presence felt elsewhere. He made a terrific backhand play on Gary Sanchez to take away extra bases in the first, and in the sixth, he provided some Matrix-like moves to avoid getting tagged out while moving from first to third on a double by Xander Bogaerts.
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo continued to supply offense from the middle of the Boston batting order, reaching base three times with a double, single and an intentional walk.
TWO DOWN
Kike Hernandez: It was a rough afternoon for the Red Sox' leadoff hitter, who was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.
Travis Shaw: Getting a rare start at first base, Shaw didn't do much with his opportunity as he went hitless in four at-bats, including three strikeouts.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"I can't even imagine the emotions and the feelings and everything...For him to go out there and compete, that was good enough.'' Alex Cora on Rich Hill.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Red Sox fell to 71-54 all-time on Patriots' Day
* Phillips Valdez is unscored upon in four appearances this season.
* Rafael Devers extended his hitting streak to 15 games dating back to last season.
* For the second game in a row, Xander Bogaerts had three hits.
* Alex Verdugo extended his hitting streak to five games.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to town for the first of three at 7:10 p.m. The game will feature RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 4.50) vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 5.40).