The Boston Red Sox Battle the Minnesota Twins on the ESPN Monday Night Game

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The Boston Red Sox Battle the Minnesota Twins on the ESPN Monday Night Game

The Boston Red Sox bats are starting to heat up and the Minnesota Twins could be in some trouble.

Nick Blackburn looks to remain unbeaten as a starter against the Boston Red Sox when the Twins finish a four-game set at Fenway Park on Monday night.

Blackburn (2-4, 4.41 ERA) will work on regular rest after breaking a four-start losing streak Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-2 victory. Blackburn is 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA in three career starts against Boston, though he suffered a loss in relief Sept. 29, 2007. He hasn’t faced the Red Sox since beating them May 26, 2009.

The Twins (12-20) may need a solid performance from Blackburn to snap out of another funk. Minnesota lost Sunday for the second straight day in Boston, blowing an early three-run lead in a 9-5 defeat.

Facing Josh Beckett (2-1, 2.35) may not be the ideal situation for struggling Minnesota. The right-hander hasn’t lost since his first start April 5, allowing seven runs with 31 strikeouts in 33 1-3 innings since.

Beckett hasn’t factored into the decision in any of his last three starts despite pitching well. He faced the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, pitching 4 1-3 scoreless innings before the game was interrupted by rain.

The Red Sox (16-18) used a potent offense Sunday to beat the Twins for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings in Boston. Jacoby Ellsbury went 3 for 5 to extend his hitting streak to 17 games - the longest active streak in the majors - and J.D. Drew and Jed Lowrie had two RBIs each.

Adrian Gonzalez hit his fourth home run and drove in two runs, giving him a team-high 24 RBIs. He has three homers in his last six games after hitting just one in his first 28. Gonzalez is heating up at the right time and the Red Sox will keep winning behind timely hitting.

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