ST. PETERSBURG (620 WDAE) -- Jake Odorizzi took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, using a pair of run-scoring hits by Lucas Duda to outduel Bartolo Colon as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 2-0 Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
Odorizzi and Colon went practically pitch for pitch into the bottom of the fourth inning when Duda finally broke the stalemate with a solo home run, his 26th of the year and ninth with Tampa Bay.
The contest remained 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth when Evan Longoria singled with two out and scored from first on a double to make it 2-1.
Odorizzi (8-7) had not allowed a hit until the top of the seventh inning when a ground ball by Joe Mauer hit the second base bag and prevented Adeiny Hachaverria from making the throw at shortstop.
Rays manager Kevin Cash lifted his starter with two out in the inning, and although Dan Jennings was unable to retire Jorge Polanco, Steve Cishek was able to get Eddie Rosario to fly out and strand both runners.
Tommy Hunter worked a perfect eighth inning, and although he allowed a home run to Robbie Grossman, Alex Colome finished out the ninth for his MLB-leading 42nd save of the year.
The victory gets Tampa Bay to within two games of Minnesota and back to .500 at 70-70.
The Rays can earn a sweep with a win Wednesday. Blake Snell (3-6, 4.02 ERA) will get the start against Aaron Slegers (0-0, 2.84 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10, with coverage on WDAE beginning at noon with The Inside Pitch presented by Sykes Lakeland.