Yandy Díaz’s RBI double starts 3-run 10th for Rays in 7-5 win over Twins

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Yandy Díaz delivered a clutch double in the 10th inning, sparking a three-run rally that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, helping Tampa Bay avoid a sweep in the three-game series.

With the game tied in extra innings, Díaz drove in automatic runner Danny Jansen with a double off Justin Topa (1-3). Moments later, Díaz came home on a throwing error by Topa, who misfired to first on a sacrifice bunt by José Caballero. Caballero later scored on a sacrifice fly by Junior Caminero, extending the Rays’ lead.

The Twins made it interesting in the bottom of the 10th when Harrison Bader — who had tied the game with a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth — drove in Byron Buxton with a groundout. But that was all Minnesota could manage against reliever Eric Orze, who closed out the game for his third save.

Pete Fairbanks (4-2) earned the win, recording five key outs in relief. Tampa Bay opener Drew Rasmussen gave up a leadoff home run to Buxton — his 20th of the season and fifth career leadoff shot this year — before handing the ball off to Joe Boyle, who held the Twins to two hits and one unearned run over five strong innings.

Taylor Walls got the Rays on the board in the third with his third homer of the season off Joe Ryan, who pitched six innings and struck out eight, allowing two runs. Jose Aranda led the Tampa Bay offense with three hits and two RBIs, including an infield single in the eighth that pushed the Rays’ lead to 4-2 after Caminero broke a 2-2 tie with a swinging bunt RBI.

Boyle came up big in the third, entering with two on and one out before striking out Trevor Larnach and Carlos Correa to escape the jam.

What’s Next:

The Rays travel to Detroit for a three-game series starting Monday. Starting pitchers for both teams have yet to be announced.

The Twins will host the Chicago Cubs starting Tuesday, with right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (4-4, 4.41 ERA) set to take the mound. The Cubs have not named their starter.