MINNEAPOLIS — One week into the season, things looked bleak for the Minnesota Twins.

After 46 games, the outlook has greatly improved.

Aaron Hicks homered for the first time in more than a year and the Twins extended their winning streak to five games with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

Eddie Rosario also homered for Minnesota, which has won nine of 11. The Twins swept Boston for the first time since June 13-15, 2006.

Coupled with Kansas City’s 4-2 loss in New York, Minnesota is tied with the Royals for first in the American League Central.

“Everybody is rowing that boat together,” said right fielder Torii Hunter, whose team has gone 27-12 after a 1-6 start.

“We’re battling at the plate, going first to third, coming up with some big hits when we need them and playing great defense right now. This is the best I’ve seen in a long time. It’s good to be in first, now you’ve just got to hold on to it.”

Dustin Pedroia homered twice for the Red Sox, who have lost six of eight.

“You always want to win, so it’s frustrating when we’re not getting those Ws we should be getting. It’s a long season, and we’re still going,” said catcher Blake Swihart, who nearly tied the game in the seventh, but his drive to left field with a runner on was caught at the wall by Rosario.

Minnesota starter Phil Hughes (4-4) allowed four earned runs in 6 2-3 innings. Glen Perkins pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 18th save in as many chances.

“Odds will tell you that sooner or later some things are not going to go his way,” manager Paul Molitor said. “It’s not very often that a player can ride a very long streak of saves. … He’s confident, he’s healthy, and so far he’s been perfect.”

Hicks hit a two-run home run to right field in the fourth for a 5-2 Minnesota lead. It was Hicks’ first homer in 171-at bats since April 24, 2014.

“We’ve been preaching to him for a long time about his ability to influence games. It’s not always going to be with the bat. He can run the bases and he can certainly make plays and cover ground,” Molitor said.