Twins tied for first place in AL Central after beating Red Sox 6-4

The Twins are tied for first place in the American League Central Division. Yeah. Let that sink in for a minute.

For a minute today, it looks like Dustin Pedroia was going to single-handedly keep the Red Sox from getting swept. Boston scored four runs today. Pedroia knocked in all of them with a pair of two-run home runs.

Which probably tells you what you wanted to know about Phil Hughes. He didn't have his best stuff again today, striking out three and not walking anyone but generally not having that same level of stuff that made him one of the best pitchers in the American League last year.

Luckily, the offense had his back. After 20-year old Rick Porcello (yes, we know he's not 20, read this) metaphorically mowed through the first two frames, the Twins took advantage in the third. Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Torii Hunter, who fought Porcello before flaring the eighth pitch of his at-bat into right field to score a pair and tie the game. Joe Mauer had a battle of his own, fouling off a pair of ball-fours only to drive the go-ahead single into the left-center field gap.

Minnesota never trailed again. But the most satisfying moment of the contest may have been Aaron Hicks' second at-bat of the game.

Hicks' first home run in 13 months highlighted a nice day and a pretty good week. Eddie Rosario would hit his second homer of the season two innings later.

Phil Hughes, Ryan Pressly, Aaron Thompson, and Michael Tonkin kept Boston off the board through the eighth, and Glen Perkins pitched a perfectly boring ninth inning to lock down his 18th save in 18 tries.

The Twins sweep the Red Sox, which is great. The Twins are 28-18, which ties them for the fourth-best record in baseball, which is great. But the best news?

The Minnesota Twins are tied for first place.

Studs

Duds

NO DUDS, FIRST PLACE FIRST PLACE FIRST PLACE