The Tampa Bay Rays (71-45) defeated the Minnesota Twins (50-66) 10-4 on Friday night at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Rays maintain their five game lead over the Red Sox atop the American League East.
The Rays scored in each of the first four innings - including a solo homer from Nelson Cruz in the third - to build a 5-0 lead. The Twins were able to build within 5-2 before Kevin Kiermaier hit an inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning. The Rays pulled away with a four run seventh inning to pull away to a 10-4 win.
Shane McClanahan (7-4, 3.73) allowed three runs, two of them earned, on eight hits in five and a third innings in which he struck out six and walked two. Evan Phillips made his season debut and was able to pitch a three inning save while striking out two.
The Rays look to take the series from the Twins when they meet in game two on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES