Red Sox Fall to Twins in Extra Innings

The Boston Red Sox's playoff hopes took a significant hit after a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins in a 12-inning game, leaving them five games behind the last wild card spot in the American League with only eight games remaining. Despite having opportunities to score in multiple innings, including the ninth through eleventh, the Red Sox failed to capitalize, marking their 16th blown save since the All-Star break. The Twins, who are tied for the final wild card spot with the Detroit Tigers, recently suffered a difficult stretch, losing three of four games against the Guardians before facing the Red Sox. Manager Rocco Baldelli expressed frustration over the team's struggles, particularly in clutch situations. The upcoming series in Boston is critical for both teams as they vie for playoff contention, with the Red Sox aiming to recover from a tough road trip and the Twins seeking to regain momentum after a disappointing performance in Cleveland. Both teams face a challenging end to the season, needing strong finishes to secure postseason opportunities.