Twins stretch win streak to 11 with 5

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Chris Paddack pitched six scoreless innings to carry the Minnesota Twins to their 11th consecutive victory, a 5-2 decision over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.

The Twins matched win streaks in 2003 and 2006 for their third-longest ever, trailing the club record of 15 straight during its last World Series championship season in 1991. Minnesota won 12 in a row in 1980.

The Twins (18-13) also have the longest winning streak in the major leagues this year. There were only four last season of 10-plus games, topped by Tampa Bay’s 13 straight.

“I felt great out there. I wasn’t going to be the guy that ended the streak. I made it personal out there,” said Paddack, who has been run-free in two of his last three starts. “We’re definitely on a tear right now, and we want to keep the ball rolling.”

Edouard Julien hit a two-out RBI single to give Paddack (3-1) a lead in the third, and the lanky, long-haired right-hander took it from there. He allowed two hits, struck out six and walked one in perhaps his finest start with the Twins, who acquired him in a trade with San Diego at the beginning of the 2022 season. He made just five starts that year and was lost to elbow ligament replacement surgery.