Red Sox learn to steal

The Boston Red Sox continue to be aggressive stealing bases.

It is not the kind of attack normally associated with the station-to-station Sox, but it isn’t happening by accident, either. The Red Sox are 29 for 33 on steals, leading the majors with an 87.9 success rate – the same as Philadelphia’s major league record last season (138 for 157).

“We could steal more bases,” manager Terry Francona said. “Most of the time, we care more about our percentages than we do the outright number of stolen bases. There are opportunities in a game if you get thrown out stealing it doesn’t hurt as much as other times. If it helps us win a game, we try to do it.”

Gardenhire returns to team

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire rejoined the team on Thursday in Chicago after missing the last five games to be with his family in Oklahoma following the death of his brother.

Gardenhire said he was still trying to cope with the loss of 54-year old Mike Gardenhire.

Before a series finale against the White Sox, Gardenhire was grateful that he was able to see his oldest brother when the Twins visited the Texas Rangers for a three-game series from April 25-27. Gardenhire said the death put sports in perspective.

“Baseball becomes very small,” he said. “But it is a place that you can go back to to kind of help you.”

The Twins, managed by third-base coach Scott Ullger, went 4-1 during Gardenhire’s absence.

Acosta’s save taken away

Manny Acosta lost a save in Atlanta when an official scorer realized he mistakenly awarded one in the previous night following the Braves’ 5-2 win over San Diego.

Acosta, the Braves’ fill-in closer with Rafael Soriano on the disabled list, entered with a 5-2 lead Wednesday after Will Ohman got the first out of the ninth inning. Acosta retired Callix Crabbe and Khalil Greene to end the game.

To qualify for the save, Acosta would have had to start the inning with a three-run lead or enter the game with the potential tying run on base, at the plate or on deck.