Sox Can't complete the sweep in Minnesota

Ian Browne, MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- David Ortiz had already authored the go-ahead hits in the first two games of this three-game set before clubbing a game-tying solo shot to center in the top of the eighth inning on Wednesday night.

This time, however, the late-game dramatics from Big Papi were not enough for the Red Sox, who suffered a 5-2 loss to the Twins in the finale of a three-game series at Target Field.

Jon Lester had done a nice job keeping the Red Sox in the game to that point, but the lefty was the first to acknowledge that this was not one of his better nights.

And it showed in the bottom of the eighth, when the Twins took the momentum -- and the game -- right back from him.

Lester opened the inning by walking Joe Mauer, and the catcher moved to second on a fielder's choice. Up stepped the dangerous Jim Thome, who hammered a double that stuck in the padding in left-center, and Mauer scored the go-ahead run. Danny Valencia added the first insurance with an RBI double down the line in left against Alfredo Aceves. That run was charged to Lester.

"I felt like I had pretty good stuff -- I just wasn't able to locate," Lester said. "I gave them too many opportunities, and when you do that, that's what happens."

Boston's ace lefty went 7 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits and four runs, walking five and striking out four.

The five walks equaled a season high, which Lester had done twice previously.

"There were times I didn't know where it was going. But it was one of those grinders tonight, and we came out on the other end," said Lester.

Aceves gave up a line single to right that went over the head of Mike Aviles. It was a ball that should have been caught, but Aviles, playing just his second Major League game in the outfield, misjudged it. The misplay led to the Twins tacking on another run, as Tsuyoshi Nishioka belted an RBI single to make it 5-2.

Dustin Pedroia -- getting a rare night off -- had pinch-hit for Josh Reddick in the eighth. Red Sox manager Terry Francona opted to keep Pedroia in the game at second base, which caused Aviles to move to right.

"Yeah, it's a big outfield," Francona said. "And again, that's part of the experience. I don't think it's so much moving around as probably some of the depth perception and where to play, things like that."

In the big picture, the Red Sox took two out of three in the series, and will enjoy Thursday's off-day in Seattle before opening a three-game series at Safeco Field against the Mariners on Friday night.

It is the first day off Boston has had since July 21.

"It's going to be great," said Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. "I'm looking forward to resting."

The 72-44 Sox lead the Yankees by 1 1/2 games in the American League East.

Already ahead, 1-0, The Twins scored a controversial run in the bottom of the sixth. With Ben Revere on first and one out, Mauer lined a double down the line in left that a fan corralled on the bounce.

A lot of times in that case, Revere would be held at third on the ground-rule double. But in the judgment of third-base umpire Tim McClelland, the ball would not have gone into the stands if the fan didn't grab it, and Revere, who had a head of steam around third by the time the ball went out of play, would have scored anyway.

"Tim said the ball wasn't going to go into the stands," Francona said. "It's their discretion whether the runner is going to score, which he probably would have. And I can't see it from where I'm at. The explanation was good. Guys come out of the clubhouse and say it's a different version. But I can't see it."

Lester was hoping Revere would have been held at third.

"Yeah, I mean, I thought it was different," said Lester. "I thought it would've gone over the fence, but that's a judgment call on that."

The Red Sox got one back in the seventh, as Marco Scutaro laced an RBI single to left.

Ortiz brought the visitors into a tie with his monster shot against lefty Glen Perkins that was estimated at 419 feet.

"David had a big swing to get us tied," Francona said.

If the Red Sox had been able to do more against Twins starter Nick Blackburn, the game might have been a different story.

"The way things have been going for me, to go out there and be able to hold this lineup down, I know they had a few guys down, but it's still a tough lineup," said Blackburn. "They've been playing a lot of really good ball. So to go out there and control everything was pretty good for me."