Byron Buxton homers twice and Mick Abel strikes out 10 as the Twins blank the Red Sox 6-0
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 2:42 am
Twins Dominate Red Sox in Shutout Victory
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Twins cruised to a decisive 6-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, fueled by a stellar performance from Byron Buxton and a strong pitching outing by Mick Abel. Buxton was the offensive powerhouse, hitting two home runs and finishing the game with four hits and four runs scored. Brooks Lee also contributed a home run for the Twins, who have now won eight of their last nine games.
On the mound, Abel, acquired in a trade, delivered a dominant performance, allowing only four hits over seven innings. He struck out a career-high 10 batters and did not issue any walks, earning his first win of the season.
The Red Sox, currently at the bottom of the AL East standings, struggled offensively and were shut out for the first time this season. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray took the loss, giving up five runs on nine hits in four innings.
The Twins took an early lead with an RBI single in the first inning. Buxton's aggressive baserunning, initially ruled out, was overturned after a manager's challenge. Buxton then launched his first home run of the game in the third inning, followed by a solo shot in the sixth, marking the 18th multi-homer game of his career. Lee's home run and Trevor Larnach's two-run single further extended the Twins' lead.
The Red Sox faced further setbacks when first baseman Willson Contreras was forced to leave the game in the fifth inning due to lower back tightness. The series continues Wednesday with a matchup between LHP Connelly Early for Boston and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson for the Twins.
BNN's Perspective: While the Twins' recent success is encouraging, it's important to acknowledge the Red Sox's current struggles. The AL East is a competitive division, and Boston will need to address its offensive woes and pitching inconsistencies to climb out of the basement. The Twins, on the other hand, appear to be building momentum, and their performance will be worth watching as the season progresses.
Keywords: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Mick Abel, home run, shutout, Sonny Gray, Brooks Lee, baseball, MLB, AL East, sports, victory, game