Video (01:16) : Twins righthander pitched four innings on Wednesday against Boston
The Twins were on their way to a 3-1 victory over Boston on Wednesday when they gave the ball to Wil Ledesma to finish the ninth.
Ledesma, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2011, walked the bases loaded. D.J. Johnson replaced him and balked in a run, gave up a sacrifice fly and then surrendered an RBI single as the Red Sox took a 4-3 lead.
The Twins got a home run from Danny Ortiz in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at 4-4. And that’s the way the game ended, as the Twins couldn’t come up with another run. It’s their third tie this spring, when the results don’t matter much.
At least Phil Hughes is ready to start the season. The righthander held Boston to one run over four innings on four hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Hughes’ next start is Opening Day on Monday at Detroit.
After walking 16 batters over 209 innings last season, Hughes has let it be known that he will be around the plate.
“The word is getting out on him,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said, “and people are trying to be more aggressive with him.”
Eduardo Escobar was 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Twins. Kennys Vargas and Torii Hunter added two hits.
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