Red Sox Spring Training 2012: Mayor's Cup Up For Grabs As Sox Face Twins

Either the Red Sox or Twins can secure at least a share of the Mayor's Cup Friday as they face off for the fifth time this spring in Lee County.

The score is stuck at 2-2 for the Sox and Twins despite Boston jumping ahead to a 2-0 lead in the first pair of games. Since then, the Twins have taken 2-1 and 8-4 victories, both in Ft. Myers.

Now the Sox will turn to the struggling Daniel Bard to keep their hopes for a complete victory alive. The reliever has continued to have difficulties in switching to a starter's role, allowing five earned runs in a six inning start last time out. Though it earned decent reviews from Bobby Valentine, Bard's difficulty controlling his pitches and keeping runs off the board have put fear in the hearts of Sox fans with the start of the season just around the corner.

He'll have one final chance to prove his case against Nick Blackburn and the Twins today.

Boston Red Sox (12-11)

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Cody Ross, RF
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Mike Aviles, SS
Nick Punto, 1B

Minnesota Twins (16-12)

Denard Span, CF
Brian Dozier, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, DH
Josh Willingham, LF
Sean Burroughs, 3B
Luke Hughes, 1B
Trevor Plouffe, RF
Mike Hollimon, 2B

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