BOSTON _ Kyle Gibson's great work on Friday was now in the hands of closer Brandon Kintzler, but Boston's Michael Martinez reached on an infield hit, then Dustin Pedroia slapped a single to right to put runners on first and second.
The announced crowd of 37,001, hypnotized by Gibson's work earlier in the game, were back at full throat.
Kintzler battled Xander Bogaerts for 11 pitches before a low fastball gave him a base-loading walk. That brought up David Ortiz to plate. But Ortiz grounded right to Brian Dozier, who threw home to force Martinez. Juan Centeno's throw to first just nipped Ortiz, who can't run.
Hanley Ramirez lined out to right to end the game, and the Twins shook off a blowout loss on Thursday by beating the Red Sox, 2-1, on Friday.
Gibson ignored the dangers of Fenway Park. He ignored their passionate fans. He even ignored the fact that his third baseman might need pop-up drills.
Gibson pitched his game. And it was quite a game on Friday.
Gibson gave up a leadoff home run to Mookie Betts and an infield single in the first inning. Then he proceeded to quiet the Red Sox and those looking on at Fenway Park.
Using his sinker, slider and curveball, Gibson retired 14 straight batters from the end of the first until he walked Brock Holt to begin the fifth. He was unpredictable, used both sides of the plate and could throw all his breaking pitches for strikes. Once he established that, he got Boston hitters to chase.
There must be something about Fenway, the historic stadium whose quaintness has been challenged in recent years by video boards and advertiser signage. Opposing pitchers get chewed up here, but not Gibson.
Gibson's best game of his career was pitched at Fenway Park on June 18, 2014. He shut out Boston for seven innings on two hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in a game the Twins lost, 2-1. But Gibson received a game score of 81 on baseball-reference.com, the highest score of his career.
On Friday, he was back for more.
Brian Dozier answered Betts' blast with one of his own, a towering drive to left-center that cleared the Green Monster with ease. But the Twins struggled with Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. It wasn't until the sixth inning when they broke through. Joe Mauer walked, which led to Rodriguez being replaced by Heath Hembree. But Hembree walked Dozier to put two on for Miguel Sano, who worked the count full then drilled a double off the wall in center. Mauer scored to make it 2-1.
Given a 2-1 lead, Gibson promptly walked Brock Holt to lead off the sixth. Michael Martinez, who replaced Betts in the fifth, hit a chopper to second. Brian Dozier made a diving stop then touched second base to force Holt. From his rear, he tried to throw out the lightning fast Martinez at first, but he was called safe.
No problem for Gibson, who got Dustin Pedroia to hit into an inning-ending double play.
Gibson nearly pitched a 1-2-3 eighth but, with two outs, Sano dropped a routine popup by backup catcher Sandy Leon. No problem for Gibson again, as Holt grounded out to end the inning.
