Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota Twins dropped the rubber match of their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, falling 4-1 at Target Field after the Rays pushed across three runs in the top of the tenth inning.
Simeon Woods Richardson held Tampa Bay to one run on five hits across 6⅔ innings, but the Twins’ bullpen couldn’t preserve the tie. Justin Topa entered in the tenth and was charged with all three Rays runs — surrendering two hits, a walk and a home run in just one-third of an inning — to absorb the loss.
Tampa Bay’s Richie Palacios and Junior Caminero each hit solo home runs in the extra frame, accounting for the bulk of the damage.
Minnesota’s offense managed just three hits on the afternoon. Matt Wallner provided the Twins’ lone run with a solo home run in the second inning — one of two hits he recorded on the day. The club went hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Nick Martinez earned the win for Tampa Bay, allowing one run on one hit over six innings while striking out four. Kevin Kelly closed it out for the save.
The loss completed a series split for Minnesota, which had won the opener Friday 10-4 before dropping the final two games. The Twins stand at 3-6 on the young season.
Minnesota opens a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers tonight at 6:40 p.m. Joe Ryan is scheduled to start for the Twins.
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