The Tampa Bay Rays (28-27) defeated the Minnesota Twins (30-25) 5-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field. With the win, the Rays finished their best homestand of the season with a 7-2 record.
Drew Rasmussen (4-2, 2.33) pitched a great game for the Rays, throwing six shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit while striking out five and walking one. From there, a bullpen combination of Edwin Uceta, Mason Montgomery and Connor Seabold worked the final three innings to secure the shutout.
The Rays got the offense going in the fourth inning thanks to a solo homer from Brandon Lowe and a two-run blast from Junior Caminero. Jonathan Aranda added some insurance in the fifth inning with a RBI single to make it 4-0. Then in the eighth, Jonathan Aranda scored from third on a balk call that made it 5-0, which would prove to be the final score.
The Rays now go on the road to Houston for a four-game series against the Astros beginning on Thursday night. Shane Baz (4-3, 4.94) is scheduled to start for the Rays, and face Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.58) for the Astros. First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 8:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 7:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES