July 9, 2008 Manny's homer lifts Sox over the Twins 6-5

BOSTON (AP) - Manny Ramirez hit a game-tying two-run homer as part of a four-run eighth inning rally to help the Boston Red Sox edge the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on Tuesday night.

It was the second straight game Ramirez came through in the eighth inning to rally the Red Sox. His 17th homer of the season on Tuesday came off Twins reliever Matt Guerrier (4-4) and tied the game 5-5.

One out after Ramirez's home run, Kevin Youkilis doubled and Brandon Moss slapped a single up the middle for the go-ahead run.

David Aardsma (3-2) got the final two outs in the eighth for the win. Jonathan Papelbon escaped trouble in the ninth for his 27th save.

Ramirez drove home Boston's only run in a 1-0 victory on an RBI single Monday night against Minnesota.

On Tuesday, Boston trailed 5-2 going into the eighth. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, Dustin Pedroia singled and J.D. Drew's RBI fielder's choice narrowed the gap to 5-3 before Ramirez's homer.

Nick Punto led off the ninth for Minnesota with a double and went to third on Denard Span's sacrifice. Papelbon then struck out pinch-hitter Jason Kubel before getting Alexi Casilla to groundout and end the game.

Boston starter Jon Lester allowed five runs and nine hits in 7 1-3 innings.

Nick Blackburn pitched 6 2-3 innings allowing two runs and six hits for Minnesota.

Despite the loss, the Twins starting pitching improved to 16-1 in the last 23 games with an ERA of 2.99. Minnesota snapped a 13-inning

scoring drought and Lester's 12 inning shutout streak when they scored three with two out in the fourth inning highlighted by a two-run triple by Brendan Harris giving the Twins a 2-1 lead. Punto followed with an RBI single to increase the Twins lead to 3-1.

The Twins extended their lead to 4-1 in the seventh inning after Harris doubled and Span singled him home. Span started his eighth straight game for the injured Michael Cuddyer and is hitting .391. Boston cut the deficit to 4-2 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Moss.

Drew gave Boston a 1-0 lead when his first inning RBI double scored Ellsbury. Notes: Mardy Fish, the top seed at the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, RI threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Pedroia extended his career-best hitting streak to 16 games with his sixth-inning single. Casilla had his hitting streak snapped at 15 games.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)