Umpires’ reversal helps the Red Sox

BOSTON -- The triple play that wasn’t would have been just what the Minnesota Twins needed to get out of trouble. When the outs all disappeared, so did their chances of avoiding a series sweep.

Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run double as the Red Sox scored seven times in the seventh inning -- all of them after a triple play was taken off the board -- and Boston beat Minnesota, 18-5, on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.

The Red Sox had runners on second and third when Jason Varitek hit a sinking liner to center and Denard Span slid for the ball, backhanding it and then holding up his glove as if he caught it. The runners took off and, after the umpires belatedly signaled a catch, Span threw to second to double off Sean Casey.

Second baseman Alexi Casilla leisurely threw to third to get Mike Lowell, who had already crossed the plate.

The call was reversed -- correctly, replays confirmed -- and irate Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire came out of the dugout for an argument that led to a quick ejection.

“I’m not going to tell you guys what I think,” said Gardenhire, whose team had won 16 of 18 before going to Fenway Park. “Every time I say what I say, I get in trouble.”