The Tampa Bay Rays (85-50) defeated the Minnesota Twins (58-76) 5-3 on Friday night at Troicana Field. The win snapped a two game losing streak for the Rays, who had dropped the last two games against the Red Sox coming into this series.
After the Twins got a solo homer in the first inning, the Rays answered with a three run output in the second thanks to RBIs from Randy Arozerena, Kevin Kiermaier and Yandy Diaz. Then in the third inning Nelson Cruz and Austin Meadows added RBIs to give the Rays some insurance en route to a 5-3 win.
Michael Wacha (3-4, 5.34) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on three hits in six innings while striking out seven and walking none. Andrew Kittredge worked a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his sixth save of the season.
The Rays and Twins now meet in the second game of the three game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 4:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES