Lester, Sox lose control

“I felt like I had pretty good stuff. I just wasn’t able to locate,’’ said Lester, now 11-6. “Gave them too many opportunities and when you do that, that’s what happens.

“It doesn’t matter what team it is in the big leagues. If you give them plenty of opportunities, they’re going to take care of them.’’

Lester and the Sox trailed, 2-1, after seven innings before David Ortiz tied the game with a home run to left center off Glen Perkins.

Lester had thrown 106 pitches but went back out for the eighth. For manager Terry Francona, it made sense given that Lester will get an extra day off (or two) before his next start, and the bullpen had been leaned on heavily in recent games.

“I thought he still had very good stuff,’’ Francona said. “That really wasn’t an issue.’’

The gamble didn’t pay off as Lester walked Joe Mauer to start the inning.

With one out and Mauer on second, Jim Thome doubled to give Minnesota the lead. Francona ended Lester’s night after 119 pitches.

Alfredo Aceves let the game get away. Danny Valencia had an RBI double down the line in left. The Sox intentionally walked Delmon Young to get to Matt Tolbert and he hit a fly ball to right.

Mike Aviles, playing the outfield for the second time in his career, misplayed the ball into a single that loaded the bases. Tsuyoshi Nishioka followed with an RBI single to center.

Jacoby Ellsbury threw Young out at the plate, or the Twins would have tacked on another run.

Joe Nathan closed the game for the Twins. The save was the 255th of his career, breaking the franchise record held by Rick Aguilera.

Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn faced the Sox at Fenway Park on May 9 and allowed one run over 6 ⅓ innings. He was even better last night, giving up one unearned run over 6 ⅔ innings.

Blackburn allowed six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. He threw 69 of his 108 pitches for strikes and did not give up a run until the seventh inning.

Aviles drew a walk with two out. The inning should have ended there when Ellsbury grounded to second, but Trevor Plouffe overran the ball. The Sox capitalized on the mistake when Marco Scutaro lined an RBI single to left.