REVERSING DIRECTION QUICKLY

The day didn't get off to a good start for the Red Sox. Josh Beckett was touched for three runs in the first inning and his teammates looked sluggish at the plate. But that all changed in a hurry as Boston scored runs in bunches the rest of the afternoon and Minnesota limped out of Fenway Park being swept in the three-game series after an 18-5 beatdown.

Boston put the finishing touches on the Twins in the seventh inning a Dustin Pedroia's bases loaded double drove in three runs highlighting a seven-run inning and giving Boston a 14-5 lead. Also in the seventh, Jason Varitek, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis and Manny Ramirez all had run scoring hits. For the inning Boston had six hits and drew a walk off of three Minnesota pitchers.

On the afternoon, the Red Sox produced six doubles, a triple and two homers. Youkilis drove in four runs and hit his 14th homers of the season. Pedroia finished with three runs batted in, had a pair of hits and scored three runs. His batting average has climbed to .313 on the season. Ramirez had three hits on the afternoon as did Sean Casey, who also drove in a pair.

Beckett did not pitch well, but picked up the mound victory. The Boston staff ace lasted just five innings giving up 5 runs on eight hits. He improved his record to 9-5 on the season with a 3.94 era. Beckett had pitched at least six innings in his prior nine games.

The victory coupled with the Yankees 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay allowed the Red Sox to move to within two games of the division leading Rays. Boston is off today before starting a three-game set with Baltimore before the All-Star break.