Twins look to send Red Sox deeper into despair; Oliveros needs surgery

BOSTON -- The Twins can’t expect every game at Fenway Park to go as well as Thursday night’s series opener.

Their 5-0 victory took just two hours and 35 minutes. It was their first shutout win at Boston since 1996, and overall, the Twins are just 2-10 here since 2008. Clearly, the loss didn't sit well with the Red Sox, as they fell back to .500.

Tonight, Twins lefthander Brian Duensing will look to build on his start against Cleveland last Sunday, when he allowed just one run on five hits over six innings.

Red Sox lefty Felix Doubront will be making his first career start against the Twins. He is 5-0 with a 2.97 ERA against other AL Central teams this year.

Stat of the day: Facing the strong chance that the Red Sox will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, fans continue to fill Fenway Park. The team has sold out 769 consecutive games, dating to May 15, 2003.

Update: Lester Oliveros, the righthanded reliever the Twins received from the Tigers last year in the Delmon Young trade, needs season-ending surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Oliveros had been pitching for Class AAA Rochester.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said he'll turn to Jared Burtons in a save situation tonight. Glen Perkins will get a break after pitching two innings Thursday.

TWINS (45-60)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Ben Revere, RF
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Josh Willingham, DH
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Darin Mastroianni, LF
8. Brian Dozier, SS
9. Jamey Carroll, 2B

Starting pitcher: LH Brian Duensing (2-6, 4.53 ERA)

RED SOX (53-53)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Cody Ross, RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Ryan Lavarnway, DH
6. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
7. Carl Crawford, LF
8. Kelly Shoppach, C
9. Mike Aviles, SS
 

Starting pitcher: LH Felix Doubront (10-5, 4.37 ERA)

Fenway Park: First pitch: 6:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network

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