Mick Abel, Byron Buxton shine as Twins beat Red Sox

Final Twins 6, Red Sox 0 Starting pitcher performance After a shaky first two performances this season, Mick Abel was fantastic in his previous start. He was somehow even better on Tuesday, throwing seven scoreless innings against the Red Sox and setting a new career high with 10 strikeouts. At one point early in the game, Abel struck out five straight batters as part of an effort in which he completely dominated the Boston lineup.

The Red Sox had four scattered hits off Abel and he hit a batter, but at no point did they come close to mounting a true rally against him. The starter pointed to his changeup and said it has been an “equalizer,” for him lately. Abel needed just 90 pitches to get through his seven innings of work and while he said he would have been “elated” to go out there for the eighth inning, he did more than enough to help a bullpen that is nearing the end of a 15-game stretch with no off days.

Player of the Game It’s a toss-up between Abel (see above) and Byron Buxton, both of whom starred on Tuesday. Buxton finished the night 4 for 5. A day after setting the record for most runs in Target Field history, he padded his lead with two more blasts.

Buxton started his night by singling in the first inning, advancing on a Sonny Gray balk and racing in to score on Luke Keaschall’s single. Though he was initially ruled out, Buxton seemed confident he was safe, motioning to the dugout, seemingly, to ask for a challenge. Upon review, he was safe.