MINNEAPOLIS -- If anyone needed a game-winning hit in extra innings, it was Aaron Hicks. The once-prized Minnesota Twins prospect was hitting just .161 and was challenged by manager Ron Gardenhire and acting general manager Rob Antony the day before to take a more professional approach to the game. Hicks responded with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th and Phil Hughes struck out eight in six innings to help the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the series finale on Thursday. Many think the only reason Hicks was not sent down already was because of the injuries that have decimated an already thin outfield group. Gardenhire and Antony both said they didnt feel Hicks was doing the necessary homework behind the scenes to be ready every day. "Maybe preparing is something I need to try to do more," Hicks said. "Try things to be able to make my game better and have an edge on the game." All-Star closer Glen Perkins blew his second save of the season, giving up a two-run single to Will Middlebrooks with the bases loaded that tied the game in the ninth. But Kurt Suzuki doubled down the left-field line and Hicks lined a 3-2 pitch to left field off of Andrew Miller (1-2) to win it. "Its such a big hit in a big situation," Hicks said. "It just comes down to how much heart you have in the game. Thats the kind of player I am. I like to play with passion and I dont like the way Ive been playing so far. But its something that sometimes youve got to go through in order to be able to make that next step into becoming a better player." Mike Carp had two hits and an RBI for the Red Sox, but David Ortiz was a quiet 1 for 4 with a single after going deep twice in each of the first two games of the series. Hughes gave up five hits and no walks and Chris Parmelee hit a two-run homer for the Twins, who took two of three from the defending champions. Suzuki and Eduardo Escobar each had three hits and Brian Duensing (1-1) picked up the win. Clay Buchholz gave up three runs on 10 hits and struck out six in six innings for the Red Sox. The Red Sox hitters had been doing well recently, with Ortizs personal home run derby contributing to 28 runs over their previous four games. But Hughes put those hot bats on ice on a day when the temperature was 46 degrees at first pitch. Hughes knows Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox lineup well from years of facing them while he was in the Yankees rotation. "He pitches more comfortable here, it seems," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "They threw a lot of strikes, didnt issue many bases on balls. Didnt have a whole lot going for the first eight." Hughes retired nine of the first 10 hitters he faced, won a 14-pitch battle with Xander Bogaerts to end the fifth inning and finished with more strikeouts against the Red Sox than he had in his previous 22 appearances against them. "Im going after them," Hughes said. "Thats been my game plan and has continued to be. Just attack with my fastball and get some flyouts, some strikeouts, swings and misses. I just tried to stay aggressive the entire time." Gardenhire said he hopes Hicks big hit will be the jumpstart his young centre fielder needs. "Hes working at it. Thats all weve asked him to do, study and work and hes doing that," Gardenhire said. "Thats a big hit for him. Nice to see him smile in a big situation like that." NOTES: Farrell gave OFs Grady Sizemore and Shane Victorino the day off. Farrell said the oft-injured Sizemore is doing fine and would play a lot this weekend while Victorino is resting a sore left knee. ... The Twins gave SS Danny Santana the day off to rest some sore legs, Gardenhire said. ... University of Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill threw out the first pitch shortly after announcing a $100,000 donation to start the Chasing Dreams foundation for epilepsy research. ... The Red Sox head home to open a series against Detroit on Friday. LHP Jon Lester (4-4, 2.75) will start for Boston against Max Scherzer (5-1, 2.04). ... The Twins start a series against Seattle on Friday. RHP Kyle Gibson (3-3, 4.74) will start against Mariners RHP Chris Young (3-0, 2.63). Greg Maddux Jersey .ca NHL Power Rankings, finally overtaking the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, who rank second and third this week. Ronald Acuna Jr. Jersey . -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal. http://www.custombravesjersey.com/custom-philip-pfeifer-jersey-large-1807z.html. Ho-Sang is a highly regarded prospect, as seen in TSNs Midseason Rankings. This was Game 3 of their playoff series and that wasnt the only strange incident in Londons 10-2 win over Windsor. Javy Lopez Jersey . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Mike Lum Jersey . After a 10-game skid, winning sure feels good. Atlantas third error in the last two innings allowed Jackie Bradley Jr.The Ottawa SenatorsThe Sens had a golden opportunity to win the cup in 2007. After beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres all in five games, the Senators would square off in the Cup Final against the Anaheim Ducks. It was a great time for the city of Ottawa as it was their first time being in the Cup final since 1927. Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson carried the Sens throughout the playoffs, along with the goaltending of Ray Emery.The Sens could not handle the Ducks in the Cup final though, who had forwards like Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne. The Ducks also had a solid shutdown line, a lethal defence duo of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer, and a world class goalie in Jean-Sebastien Giguere. The Sens would lose to the Ducks in five games which would conclude their best run at the cup since the Habs won in 1993.Watch a tribute to their run here.Toronto Maple LeafsYes, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a solid playoff run since the Habs won in 1993, and it almost got them in the Cup Final. The year was 2002 and the Leafs defeated the Islannders and the Senators in the opening rounds.dddddddddddd They would play the Conference Final against a team that they matched up pretty well against, the Carolina Hurricanes. The Leafs had an incredible goaltender in Curtis Joseph, and classic players like Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts and Darcy Tucker. Sundin and Tucker actually missed most of the first two rounds with injuries, so when they returned in the Eastern Conference Final, most Toronto fans were predicting their team would finally play for the Cup for the first time since 1967.The Leafs seemed to run out of gas and couldnt handle the Hurricanes, who got great goaltending from Arturs Irbe, and tons of production out of forwards like Rod BrindAmour, Erik Cole, and Jeff ONeill. The Leafs would lose in dramatic fashion at home in Game 6 in overtime. Sundin tied the game with the goalie pulled before the eventual season-ending goal by the Hurricanes. Check out Sundins game-tying goal which would highlight the Leafs 2002 run.So fans, who in the East has the best shot at being the next Canadian team to win a cup? Tweet us @BarDown ' ' '