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Price isn't right: Ace struggles in Boston's 11-9 loss

BOSTON (AP) - The question was barely asked and David Price already had an answer.

"It's been terrible. This is hard. Awful," the left-hander said of his season after another rough outing in Boston's 11-9 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

"My teammates and coaching staff have confidence in me, even though I haven't given them a reason to be confident," said Price, who was signed as a free agent during the offseason to a seven-year, $217-million deal.

Price went 5 2/3 innings and gave up 11 hits for his second straight start. The left-hander gave up five runs, raising his ERA to 4.51.

"It's something I haven't done in a long time," he said of his struggles. "That's why this year has been the way it's been."

Hanley Ramirez belted a three-run homer and Xander Bogaerts had four hits for the Red Sox, who lost for just the third time in 12 games. Jackie Bradley Jr. had three hits and two RBIs.

"Tough night from the mound, obviously," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

Miguel Sano homered and Eduardo Nunez drove in three runs, including two in a five-run seventh inning.

Eddie Rosario had four singles for Minnesota, which won its second straight over Boston after losing the series opener Thursday.

Ryan Pressly (4-5) got four outs in relief for the win. Brandon Kintzler worked the ninth for his eighth save.

Twins starter Ricky Nolasco lasted just two innings, giving up six runs and walking three.

Trailing 8-5 in the seventh, the Twins surged ahead with five runs. Max Kepler had an RBI triple and scored on Kennys Vargas' double. Vargas scored the tying run on an overturned replay on Rosario's single against Tommy Layne (0-1).

Plate umpire Clint Fagan originally ruled Vargas out at home on a throw from Bradley, but Vargas slipped his hand in on a head-first slide. Nunez's two-run single made it 10-8.

Sano homered in the eighth.

Ramirez homered as Boston erased a 4-1 deficit with a five-run second, hitting it over the Green Monster after Brock Holt scored on a wild pitch and Dustin Pedroia had an RBI double.

Bradley's run-scoring double made it 7-4.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: C Kurt Suzuki was back in the lineup after getting Friday off but had to leave to get stitches on his chin after taking a foul off the mask. ... 1B Joe Mauer was rested.

Red Sox: CF Mookie Betts didn't play, resting his right knee after leaving Friday's game. He said he had tests that showed no structural damage and they were "trying to get the swelling down" and "some fluid out." ... Farrell said closer Craig Kimbrel could have his first bullpen session "(Sunday) or Monday" and could be "very close" to a simulated game. Kimbrel had surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee on July 11.

WINDY CONDITIONS

Early strong gusts made for a strange night.

Red Sox TV analyst Jerry Remy was hit in the head by a falling monitor in the booth and was sent home to rest. He's expected back Sunday.

In the first, Minnesota's Robbie Grossman hit a fly into a gust, sending RF Michael Martinez twisting as the ball fell for a triple.

There were a handful of stoppages as dirt from the tracks and litter swirled. Batters stepped out to wipe their eyes and Red Sox 1B Hanley Ramirez headed to the dugout to have a trainer help him clear his left eye.

SEEING DOUBLES

David Ortiz collected his 35th double of the season, tying the record for most by a player 40 or older. The 40-year-old Ortiz tied Sam Rice, who was also 40 and did it in 1930.

UP NEXT

Twins: LHP Tommy Milone (3-2, 4.71 ERA) is set to start the series finale on Sunday.

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (12-2, 3.47) looks to remain unbeaten in his starts at Fenway Park this season. Porcello would become the first in 55 years to open a season 10-0 in Fenway starts since Don Schwall won his first 10 decisions in 1961 before losing in mid- September.

Minnesota Twins' Brandon Kintzler (27) and Juan Centeno (37) celebrate after the Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 11-9 during a baseball game in Boston, Saturday, July 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press
Minnesota Twins' Eduardo Nunez hits a two-run single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, July 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press
Minnesota Twins' Miguel Sano, left, rounds third base past coach Gene Glynn (13) on a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, July 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press
Minnesota Twins' Eddie Rosario (20) and Juan Centeno, right, celebrate with Robbie Grossman, center, after scoring on a two-run single by Eduardo Nunez during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, July 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz reacts after hitting an RBI double during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Boston, Saturday, July 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press
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