MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brooks Lee hit a two-run single off Jordan Hicks in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox after a 90-minute rain delay Monday night.
After Roman Anthony put Boston in front with an RBI single off Twins closer Jhoan Duran (6-4) in the top of the ninth, the grounds crew hustled out the tarp to beat a downpour.
Hicks (1-7), who had warmed up before the delay, allowed a single to DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and hit Mickey Gasper and Willi Castro with consecutive pitches. With one out, Lee delivered his third walk-off hit this season with a slap the other way with a few hundred fans standing in front of soaked seats.
Alex Bregman homered for the , a three-run shot off Simeon Woods Richardson in the fifth that put Boston up 3-2 after another unfulfilling start by Richard Fitts.
Fitts allowed a two-run homer to Keirsey after walking Christian Vázquez to start the third. Keirsey, making his first start in 29 games with All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton ( ) sidelined, is 9 for 75 this season. Vázquez has been batting under .200 for six weeks.
The Red Sox, who are in for starting pitching with Hunter Dobbins , were thin in the bullpen with unavailable (back tightness) and another reliever, Garrett Whitlock, ailing after a turbulent flight to Minnesota required a pit stop during stormy weather.
The Twins to division-leading Detroit before the game.
Fitts skirted bases-loaded trouble with none out in the fourth, striking out Ty France and getting Vázquez to ground into a double play.
Anthony, who has taken over the leadoff spot for good, had two hits and two walks.
Lucas Giolito (6-2, 3.97 ERA) starts for Boston on Tuesday, when Paddack was scheduled to pitch. Minnesota will staff it with the bullpen instead.
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