Final 9th, Twins 8-4: At this point, the Red Sox emptied the roster with backups and minor leaguers.
Alex Hassan drove in a run, but Brandon Jacobs — no, not the football player — grounded out into a double play to end the game.
Mid 9th, Twins 8-4: After a scoreless eighth, Scott Atchinson regressed in the ninth, allowing hits to the first three batters he faced.
When Chris Carpenter came in for Atchison, he didn't help the cause much and allowed the runs to score. Atchison was charged for yielding three runs.
Mid 7th, Twins 5-3: Andrew Bailey came in for his third appearance of the spring. After plunking his first batter faced, he retired the next three batters. Slowly but surely, he's getting back into form and having spoken to him, he said he feels he just needs a few more appearances to be ready for the regular season. He's had three so far, and with two weeks left, he should have more in store. He said he wants to get a back-to-back appearance in soon.
Mid 6th, Twins 5-3: Just a few days earlier, Bobby Valentine went out of his way to praise Twins center fielder Joe Benson. Benson, as you may remember, robbed David Ortiz of an extra-base hit in front of the 420 sign the other day.
Benson came through with the bat on Tuesday, hitting a bases-clearing double to punish Mark Melancon. And that signaled the end of Melancon's outing as he was replaced by Justin Thomas. Melancon hasn't really had the best spring training performance thus far.
Bottom 5th, Red Sox 3-2: Jared Burton came in to relieve Jason Marquis in the inning.
For the most part, Marquis was solid in Monday's start. That second inning was a hassle for him, but otherwise he seemed like he would be a good asset this season for the Twins.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 3-2: Doubront couldn't finish out the entire fifth inning. After retiring Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, the lefty was yanked in favor of Mark Melancon.
The reliever handled his business against Josh Willingham, striking him out swinging to end the inning. All in all, Doubront had a few minor hiccups to start off the game, but got into a groove as each inning went on. It seems like that's how he's been the last few outings, but overall Doubront was solid.
Bottom 4th, Red Sox 3-2: After hitting a single, Darnell McDonald became a little hungry and wanted to steal second.
He got caught in a rundown, one that took a while as he tried to pull Matrix-type moves to escape.
Jose Iglesias grounded out to end the inning, but the shortstop looks like he's recovered from the groin strain that sidelined him for about a week.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 3-2: Wanted to take a moment to let you guys know that Alfredo Aceves tossed against minor league competition today in an attempt to get more innings under his belt.
For Triple-A Pawtucket, he tossed five innings, allowed eight hits and three runs while striking out three batters. He threw 73 pitches, 54 for strikes.
As for this game, well, Doubront got in and out of the inning without issue.
Bottom 3rd, Red Sox 3-2: Marquis struck out the big dogs in David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez.
Kevin Youkilis managed to get a hit in there. He also showed off his speed — using the word loosely of course — getting a steal. He joked the other day that he, Ortiz and Gonzalez would combine to total over 10 steals this year…with him getting the majority of them. Pretty funny stuff.
Mid 3rd, Red Sox 3-2: Josh Willingham recorded another RBI off Felix Doubront, hitting a single to bring in Jamey Carroll.
As Willingham advanced to third and threatened to score, Doubront induced Ryan Doumit to fly out, showing that propensity to escape major trouble. It still isn't the best of outings for the lefty, but at least he shows he isn't rattled by the pressure.
Bottom 2nd, Red Sox 3-1: And just like that, the Red Sox are back in business. Jason Repko, who seems like a strong candidate to make the team as an extra outfielder, doubled to score David Ortiz.
A few at-bats later, Jose Iglesias came in and his fielder's choice scored Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who showed no ill effects of that hip bursitis that plagued him.
Then Jacoby Ellsbury got a nice break when he slapped a single off Joe Mauer's glove, which brought Repko home for a three-run, inning. A real good chemistry with that lineup.
Mid 2nd, Twins 1-0: No damage done in the second inning, but Doubront is still yielding the hits. He gave up a double to Ryan Doumit and a single to Ben Revere.
Fortunately for Doubront, Revere got out on interference while running the bases. He was able to strike out Alexi Casilla, so maybe he can build off of that momentum.
But at the very least, Doubront is proving he can pitch out of trouble. Have to acknowledge that.
Bottom 1st, Twins 1-0: A few changes to announce in the lineup. The Twins have moved Joe Mauer to first base, Justin Morneau to designated hitter and Ryan Doumit behind the backstop.
Jason Marquis retired the Red Sox lineup in the first inning without any issue. By the way, it seems like Bobby Valentine's lineups are becoming more and more similar to ones that should resemble the regular season, so I wouldn't expect to see Kevin Youkilis batting lead off any more.
Mid 1st, Twins 1-0: Felix Doubront hasn't started as well as he'd like so far against Minnesota. After surrendering just two hits against the Yankees — through four innings — he allowed two hits in the first inning of Monday's game.
He also walked Justin Morneau to load up the bases. With everything juiced, Josh Willingham recorded an RBI in a 5-3 groundout.
Doubront was able to get himself out of trouble, striking out Danny Valencia. But we'll see whether the first inning was an aberration or a sign of struggle.
1:15 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Jason Repko, RF

Darnell McDonald, LF
Jose Iglesias, SS
Felix Doubront, P
Twins
Denard Span, CF
Jamey Carroll, SS

Joe Mauer, C

Justin Morneau, 1B

Josh Willingham, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B

Ryan Doumit, DH
Ben Revere, LF

Alexi Casilla, 2B
Jason Marquis, P
11:20 a.m.: Monday is a big day for the Red Sox.
They'll get their latest look at Felix Doubront, perhaps the leading candidate to land the No. 5 spot in the rotation, but just as importantly, the Sox can guarantee at least a tie in the Mayor's Cup with a win over the Twins.
Doubront will look to build off of a strong showing his last time out, as the young left-hander went four scoreless innings against the Yankees in Tampa last week. Now, he'll get a look at the Twins as the Sox do battle with their crosstown rivals at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.
Mark Melancon, Andrew Bailey, Justin Thomas and Scott Atchison are all expected to get work for the Sox as well.
Veteran right-hander Jason Marquis will get the ball for the Twins.
First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m.
