Boston @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2011 ) Boston 8, Minnesota 6

THE STORY: The Boston Red Sox weren’t perfect Monday with two errors, but they avoided a major letdown after a late, emotional extra-inning victory over the Yankees the night before. Now the Red Sox will try to take further advantage of the scuffling Minnesota Twins. Newly-acquired Erik Bedard will take the mound for visiting Boston in the second of three games against the Twins Tuesday night. The Red Sox are 16-8 since the all-star break and have the next five against teams under .500. Minnesota has lost five straight, allowing 33 runs, and eight of its last nine.

TV: 8:10 p.m. EST; NESN (Boston), FS-NO (Minnesota).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Erik Bedard (4-7, 3.55) vs. Twins LH Francisco Liriano (7-9, 5.03).

Bedard gave up seven hits and three runs over five innings in his Red Sox debut Thursday, without getting a decision. He has pitched better than his record, allowing three runs or less in 13 of his last 14 outings. Bedard has 92 strikeouts and 30 walks in 96 1/3 innings. Bedard is 2-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 56 innings against the Twins after pitching six shutout innings against them May 25 in a victory.

Liriano was pounded in his last start, giving up 10 hits and seven runs against the Angels. He is 1-3 lifetime with a 7.78 ERA over 19 2/3 innings against Boston. Liriano has walked 59 in 111 innings. Dustin Pedroia is 6-for-10 against Liriano and Kevin Youkilis is 4-for-11 with three doubles, a homer and six RBIs.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (71-43): David Ortiz was 4-for-38 in 10 games before Sunday. The Red Sox designated hitter rebounded with two hits against the Yankees that night and followed it up with his first four-hit game on the road since August of 2007. Pedroia had a pair of singles. He is 8-for-17 at Target Field and is batting .439 in his career at Minnesota overall. Youkilis, 2-for-15 the last four games, got the day off Monday. Carl Crawford is 10-for-16 in the last four games. Boston activated infielder Jed Lowrie from the disabled list. Relief pitcher Randy Williams was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

ABOUT THE TWINS (51-64): Despite his team’s troubles, Jason Kubel is having a strong August. The outfielder is 11-for-28 with three homers and five RBIs in the last seven games, raising his average to .312. Jim Thome needs two homers to become the eighth player to reach 600 home runs. Thome has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, going 16-for-43. Joe Mauer has hit safely in seven of eight games, but he is still at one homer for the season. Mauer had 28 in 2009. Center fielder Denard Span has struggled since returning from the disabled list, with one hit in 28 at bats.

FINAL PITCH: Red Sox reliever Alfredo Aceves (8-1) earned the win Monday to improve his career record to 22-2. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Aceves is the first pitcher in major league history to win 22 of his first 24 decisions.