The Tampa Bay Rays (71-47) defeated the Minnesota Twins (52-66) 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Target Field in Minneapolis. The win gives Minnesota a series win, and shrinks the Rays lead over the Red Sox down to three games in the American League East.
The Twins scored two in the first and two in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead, thanks in part to three RBIs from Josh Donaldson, but the Rays had an answer. Mike Zunino hit a solo home run in the fifth, before Wander Franco hit a two-run home run in the sixth. Randy Arozerena hit a RBI single in the seventh to tie the game 4-4. In the ninth inning Max Kepler doubled then reached third on an error from Austin Meadows, before Jorge Polanco drove him in with a sacrifice fly to win the game.
Luis Patino got the start, allowing two earned runs on two hits in three innings while striking out two and walking five. Matt Wissler (3-5, 3.66) took the loss after working the ninth.
The Rays now return home for a four game series against the Orioles that begins on Monday. First pitch from Tropicana Field Monday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES