BOSTON — The Red Sox are coming off a 3-7 road trip, and the newspapers were tough on them here today. The bullpen has been shaky. Manny Ramirez is being ridiculed for taking three called strikes in an at-bat against Mariano Rivera on Sunday night.

And still, this represents a huge test for the surging Twins. The Red Sox are 31-10 here at Fenway Park.

Updates to come…

Update (5:45 p.m.): Justin Morneau said he hasn’t been asked to participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby.

“They’re asking the good players first,” he said, poking fun at himself.

* Manager Ron Gardenhire was asked if it’s different facing the Red Sox without David Ortiz, who is on the DL with a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.

“Sure,” Gardenhire said. “You take 40 home runs and 140 RBI out of anybody’s lineup, and they become a different team. … That’s the great thing about this Red Sox team — they’re still a very, very good team [even with Ortiz injured].”

I came upstairs from the office and Ortiz was on the field, taking batting practice, driving balls off the Green Monster and pulling others into the right-field seats. Gulp. It was Big Papi’s first BP session since he went on the DL on May 31.

Six home runs in all. He was coy when asked about a return, saying, “I’m just an employee.”

* The Red Sox rank second in the AL with 76 stolen bases. Gardy noted their speed.

“This team can beat you in a lot of different ways,” he said.

* ESPN The Magazine was here working on a piece on Alexi Casilla and Carlos Gomez. Asked about Gomez developing plate discipline over time, Gardy had a fun response.

“I’ve talked to him a lot about contact. He came in and told me when he had 70 strikeouts, he was only going to have about 10 for the whole second half.

“He had 10 in the next four days.

“But at least there’s a thought of shortening up and putting the ball in play. He’s trying and I like that. I like him understanding what he needs to work on. It’s not easy to do every day in the big leagues when you’re facing all these great pitchers.”

Twins (50-38)

1. Carlos Gomez, CF

2. Alexi Casilla, 2B

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Jason Kubel, DH

6. Delmon Young, LF

7. Brian Buscher, 3B

8. Nick Punto, SS

9. Denard Span RF

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker

Red Sox (52-39)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, LF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. J.D. Drew, RF

4. Manny Ramirez, DH

5. Mike Lowell, 3B

6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

7. Coco Crisp, CF

8. Jason Varitek, C

9. Julio Lugo, SS

Starting pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka

Fenway Park. First pitch: 6:05 p.m.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 7th, 2008 at 2:57 pm and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.