Last year, Twins manager Paul Molitor would use Trevor Hildenberger in the toughest situations. Those appearances were expected to be reduced this year with the arrival of Addison Reed and Zach Duke. But there was Hildy on the mound in the seventh inning Tuesday with one out and one on [vs. the Red Sox].

He walked Andrew Benintendi before getting Xander Bogaerts to ground out to third. With runners on second and third, everyone expected Hildenberger to intentionally walk J.D. Martinez and then go after Mitch Moreland or have Duke do it. Or have Hildy start off with Martinez and walk him if he falls behind.

Twins manager Paul Molitor had other ideas.

"We had some things going on in terms of how long we'd let that at-bat go," Molitor said. "But when he got ahead, we went out there with a message to make your pitches. We got a chance here so don't give in. And he was able to get the big strikeout."

LA VELLE E. NEAL III