Twins Pound Price to Beat Boston

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — David Price gave up consecutive homers in the middle inning of his Boston debut, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Red Sox 8-2 on Thursday.

Signed as free agent to a $217 million, seven-year contract to bolster a staff with the AL's second-worst ERA last year, the 30-year-old left-hander threw 53 pitches in three innings, mostly fastballs.

The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner and five-time All Star gave up Brian Dozier's double on his first pitch. Eduardo Escobar and Kurt Suzuki homered over the left-field wall, with Suzuki's drive caroming off the foul pole.

Price allowed four hits, walked one and struck out three.

Twins starter Ervin Santana, making his second appearance, needed only 26 pitches in three perfect innings that included three strikeouts.

Carlos Quentin also homered and had two hits along with Dozier and Escobar.