The Minnesota Twins (43-46) defeated the Minnesota Twins (48-41) 6-5 on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. With the loss, the Rays have dropped their first series on a three-series, ten-game road trip.
Minnesota scored first with a run in the second, but the Rays answered with five runs to build a 5-1 lead in the top of the sixth. However, the Twins got to the Rays bullpen for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game 5-5.
Taj Bradley started the game and was pulled with two outs and two on in the sixth inning still leading 5-1. Kevin Kelley was unable to get out of the inning, allowing both inherited runners to score before allowing two runs of his own before finally getting the third out of the inning. It was Kelley's second blown save of the season.
Tied 5-5 heading to the ninth inning, Brooks Lee became the hero, coming through with a walk-off bunt single to lift the Twins to a 6-5 win and the series victory.
The Rays will now look to avoid being swept when they meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.78) is scheduled to start for the Rays, and face Joe Ryan (8-4, 2.75) for the Twins. First pitch Sunday is scheduled for 2:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at 12:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball all season long.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES