The Minnesota Twins (76-64) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (69-71) 4-3 on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Twins salvaged a split in the four-game series.
Edouard Julien hit a three-run homer in the second inning to give Minnesota an early 3-0 lead. Matt Wallner added a solo shot in the third to make it 4-0 before the Rays got on the board.
Tampa Bay did get on the board with a two-run single from Junior Caminero. The Rays pulled within 4-3 on a Yandy Diaz ground-rule RBI double in the seveth, but that was as close as the Rays would get.
Taj Bradley (6-10, 4.40) allowed four earned runs on six hits in seven innings of work in which he struck out ten and walked one.
The Rays now head to Baltimore for a three-game series against the Orioles beginning on Friday night. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES