PORT CHARLOTTE (WDAE) -- Ryne Stanek pitched two shutout innings, and Yandy Diaz homered and drove in four, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers Friday at Charlotte Sports Park.
Diaz drove in the first run of the game in the fourth with a single off Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull that scored Tommy Pham, and his three-run blast an inning later off reliever Blaine Hardy capped an inning that saw a 2-1 deficit turn into a 6-2 lead.
Ronny Rodriguez's solo homer in the sixth cut the lead back to 6-3, however an Emilio Bonifacio base hit scored Carl Chester in the eighth to put the lead back at a grand slam.
Stanek struck out three in his two innings of work, which were followed by a scoreless frame by Chaz Roe. Jalen Beeks allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings, both coming on a double by Jeimer Candelario that followed a pair of infield hits.
Austin Pruitt gave up Rodriguez's home run, but just one other hit in 2 1/3 innings of work. Mike Granco and Matt Krook each worked a perfect inning of relief.
The Minnesota Twins come to Charlotte Sports Park Saturday, with Yonny Chirinos getting the start, first pitch is scheduled for 1:05, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 12:30 with Countdown to Opening Day.