Spring Fever: Twins @ Red Sox

Twins 4, Red Sox 4

Wouldn't you know, my and Lizzy's first rivalry of the season would end in a tie. Matt Garza, the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year last season, pitched two scoreless innings, making a positive impression for his bid on the team's rotation while striking out Big Papi on a slider in the first inning.

The Twins had taken a 1-0 lead in the third against Boston's closer candidate Joel Pineiro on a single by Jason Bartlett, a throwing error by Julio Lugo at short, then an RBI single by Rondell White.

The Red Sox went ahead 4-1 against Scott Baker with two runs in both the third and fourth innings. Lugo and Ortiz singled in runs in the third and Jacoby Ellsbury doubled home two in the fourth. Curt Schilling allowed two hits for Boston before Julian Tavarez gave up a three-run shot in the fifth to AL batting champ Joe Mauer.

The Twins almost took the lead in the ninth, but right fielder Alex Ochoa turned a double play by catching Alexi Casilla's fly ball and throwing out Luis Rodriguez at home after he tagged up. Ochoa, showing off a prospective cannon, also threw out a runner at second in the fifth.

Center fielder Torii Hunter is day-to-day after bending a fingernail back while sliding.

[MLB]