Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Jeff Keppinger's go-ahead RBI groundout
highlighted a four-run top of the 10th inning and helped the Tampa Bay Rays
win their sixth straight contest, a 7-3 triumph over the Minnesota Twins in
the finale of a three-game set.
Desmond Jennings singled off Alex Burnett (4-4) to begin the 10th and stole
second before B.J. Upton walked. Ben Zobrist bunted both runners over and Evan
Longoria was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Jennings came home when Keppinger grounded out to shortstop. After Carlos
Pena was hit by a pitch to again load the bags, Ryan Roberts shot a single
through the hole on the right side, plating Upton and Longoria. Coming on to
pinch-hit for Sean Rodriguez, Matt Joyce ripped a double into right-center to
push across Pena for a 7-3 Rays advantage.
Kyle Farnsworth (1-3) fired a scoreless ninth to pick up the win and Fernando
Rodney picked up the final out in the 10th to notch his 36th save of the year.
Rays starter James Shields surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on five
hits and a walk in seven innings, while Twins starter Scott Diamond also went
seven frames, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks.
Jennings tallied two hits, including a leadoff homer into the seats in left,
and Keppinger opened the second with a towering blast into the first couple
rows of seats in left, giving the Rays a 2-0 advantage.
Minnesota, though, tied the contest in the home half when Justin Morneau
mashed a two-run shot onto the concourse in right and took the lead, 3-2,
after Joe Mauer ripped a two-out RBI single to left in the third.
Tampa Bay knotted the game again in the fifth as back-to-back doubles by
Roberts and Rodriguez to open the frame made it 3-3.
Game Notes
Minnesota was 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on
base, while Tampa Bay finished 3-for-10 with RISP and stranded
eight...Morneau's homer was his 16th of the year.
The Sports Network