The Twins sent Boston home Monday night after securing a 3-1 edge in the four-game series, and while taking two of three from the defending World Champions was impressive enough, what's more impressive is how the Twins have been playing of late.

With the win Monday, the Twins are 10-1 in the last 11 home games and 14-7 at the Metrodome this season. They've won 11 of their last 14 games, and that includes a three-game sweep of the Tigers and a two-game sweep of the White Sox (both at home).

And in the four games against Boston, the Twins generated offense from every part of the lineup.

"I think we've got a lot of balance throughout the lineup, so we've got a lot of options," Michael Cuddyer said. "Anytime you can give (manager Ron Gardenhire) that type of flexibility, to go through the lineup and (substitute) guys and not miss a beat is nice. That's what we didn't have last year. We didn't have the bench that we have this year."

Now 20-17 and in first place in the American League Central, Cuddyer said the team will try to ride each positive series into the next.

TWINS 7, RED SOX 3: Righty Livan Hernandez gave up three runs in the first inning but settled in to shut out Boston for the next five. The bullpen came in to finish off the game, as the Twins' offense came through with seven runs on 11 hits, just one of them for extra bases.

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