MINNEAPOLIS -- For a time Wednesday night, it appeared as though the Red Sox bullpen might duplicate its implosion on Saturday against the New York Yankees.
What had been a 7-1 lead for the Sox turned dicey when starter Clay Buchholz and three relievers combined to allow five runs in the sixth inning to the Minnesota Twins.
But Matt Albers got an inning-ending double play ball and Vicenta Padilla and Franklin Morales combined to get the next six hitters in a row as the Red Sox held off the Twins, 7-6, for Boston's third straight victory and a sweep of the series.
Alfredo Aceves turned back the Twins in the ninth to notch his second save of the series and fourth of the season, though it was not without its drama as the closer loaded the bases on a walk, single and a hit batsman.
But Aceves got Denard Span swinging for the final out to preserve the one-run margin.
The Sox, who were outhit 14-10, jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the third inning thanks to a run-scoring single from Cody Ross, a three-run homer by Mike Aviles and a two-run single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Clay Buchholz, who picked up the win, was in and out of trouble most of the night. He didn't have a 1-2-3 inning until the fifth and allowed 10 hits and three walks in just 5 13 innings. In all four of his starts this season, Buchholz has given up at least five earned runs.
Dustin Pedroia doubled in the first, singled in the third and tripled in the fifth but fell a homer shy of reaching the cycle.
STAR OF THE GAME: Mike Aviles continued his hot streak when he clubbed a two-run homer in the second, part of the Red Sox' four-run inning. For the series, the shortstop was 6-for-13 with two homers, two doubles, five RBI and five runs scored.
HONORABLE MENTION: The Twins scored five times in the bottom of the sixth, chasing starter Clay Buchholz and roughing up the Boston bullpen. But with the Sox clinging to a one-run lead, Vincente Padilla came in for the bottom of the seventh and gave the Red Sox a quick 1-2-3 inning, restoring the momentum to Boston's side.
GOAT OF THE GAME: For the third time in as many games, the Twins' starter didn't give his team much of a chance. Liam Hendriks was tagged for seven runs on nine hits in just four innings.
TURNING POINT: The Twins had already scored five runs in the sixth and had the bases loaded with Sean Burroughs up. But Matt Albers got Burroughs to rap into an inning-ending, rally-killing double play, stranding two baserunners.
BY THE NUMBERS: The Red Sox sweep of the Twins here was the first for the Sox in Minneapolis since July 3-6, 2000.
QUOTE OF NOTE: "We got a win. That's what it's all about in the end.'' Bobby Valentine on the rocky road taken to victory.