Twins’ manager Rocco Baldelli turned to his closer, Jhoan Duran, to face the heart of the Red Sox’ lineup in the eighth inning, leaving Sands to clean it up in the ninth. He did his job admirably, getting Garrett Cooper on a ground ball to second base, David Hamilton on a swinging third strike and Reese McGuire on a line drive to first base to end it. The 26-year-old hurler shouldn’t get many save chances with Duran and Griffin Jax in the Twins’ bullpen, but he’ll get the occasional opportunity based on matchups.

The 26-year-old hurler was called upon to get the final out of the seventh inning, then went right back out for the eighth and the ninth as he continued to mow down opposing hitters. He retired all seven hitters that he faced in order — including three strikeouts — needing only 28 pitches (19 strikes) to get the job done. He isn’t going to suddenly become an option for saves in the Twins’ bullpen, but he will get the occasional multiple-inning opportunity.

Sands has oscillated between the Twins’ bullpen and Triple-A St. Paul for the majority of the season, posting a respectable 3.74 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 21/13 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings (15 relief appearances) in the majors. The 26-year-old righty has been shipped out to make room for Louie Varland to return in a relief role.

Sands returns to the majors ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Phillies. The 26-year-old righty swingman has made 10 relief appearances this season for the Twins, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14/9 K/BB ratio across 14 innings of work.