MINNEAPOLIS -- Late-inning heroics had almost become commonplace for the Red Sox, so when David Ortiz launched a game-tying homer to left-center in the top of the eighth Wednesday night, it seemed certain that another dramatic win was in the offing.
But this time, it was the other side pulling out a victory in their final at-bat.
Jim Thome and Danny Valancia cracked consecutive run-scoring doubles and Tsuyoshi Nishioka added an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to give the Minnesota Twins a 5-2 win, snapping the Red Sox four-game winning streak.
Alfredo Aceves, who relieved Jon Lester with one out in the eighth, faced four hitters and gave up three hits and an intentional walk.