Xander Bogaerts celebrates his two-run home run with Kiké Hernandez in the third inning of Boston’s 4-0 win over the Twins on Saturday at Fenway Park. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
BOSTON — There was a bit of concern trailing Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo entering the season after they were each ice cold at the plate this spring.
They’re hoping some swings they made on Saturday are a sign their bats will be heating up.
Verdugo and Bogaerts each hit two-run homers, Tanner Houck held the Twins scoreless over 52/3 innings, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-0.
“I made a swing that felt good. I’m getting there,” said Bogaerts, who had his first homer after going 3 for 22 during the truncated exhibition season.
Verdugo now has three home runs after a 4-for-26 spring in which he also failed to go deep. But he said he is isn’t focused on hitting for power.
“I feel like each year I always try to say I’m gonna try to hit 30 and I hit like 12,” Verdugo said. “So this year, it’s been the other way around. Just trying to hit the ball hard, as many doubles as I can, and just finding at the moment they’re carrying a little farther.”
Meanwhile, Houck (1-0) was solid, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out four. Matt Strahm got the next three outs and Garrett Whitlock gave up just two hits while finishing up for the save.
“Made some adjustments I was super happy with,” Houck said. “Continuing to grow and take steps in the right direction.”
The Twins left six runners on base and were held scoreless for the second time in three games.
Minnesota starter Sonny Gray (0-1) allowed a homer to Verdugo in the second inning before being pulled two batters later because of right hamstring tightness. Gray threw just 31 pitches, with a walk and one strikeout.
Boston took a 2-0 lead when Verdugo drove a sinker from Gray over the wall in center field. Bogaerts homered in the third off reliever Josh Winder.
The Twins said Gray is considered day-to-day.
Manager Rocco Baldelli said being patient with Gray is one of the perks of having seven starting pitchers on the Opening Day roster.
“I think we’re gonna be able to move forward in one way, shape or form and not have to make any large-scale maneuvers here,” he said. “You anticipate things happening, you don’t know what they’re gonna be. But you just have to be prepared for these things, especially in a year like this.”
The Twins looked to have something going in the third after Nick Gordon and Miguel Sanó got on via a walk and a single to begin the inning. But Houck was able to work his way out of the jam, getting Ryan Jeffers to hit into a double play and Luis Arraez on a groundout to end the threat.
Bogaerts made the Twins pay for the missed opportunity in the bottom of the inning, belting a two-run blast over the Green Monster.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: Baldelli said an MRI on Twins star Byron Buxton’s right knee didn’t reveal any structural issues. A team doctor will examine him as well, but they anticipate he’ll be traveling with the team for their next series at Kansas City. Baldelli said they aren’t anticipating making a roster move for now.
Red Sox: Left-hander Josh Taylor (lower back strain) is scheduled to begin about a five-game rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Worcester. … Left-hander James Paxton (Tommy John surgery rehab) tossed a bullpen session. He and left-hander Chris Sale will return to the training facility in Florida when the team travels to Tampa Bay to open its series with the Rays on April 22.
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