Rays find 10th-inning run to escape with win over Twins

Royce Lewis' throwing error allowed Tampa Bay to score the go-ahead run.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (41) delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on June 19, 2024. / Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins put themselves in position for another walk-off win, but they couldn't find more late magic Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss in 10 innings to the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field in Minneapolis.

With two outs and Randy Arozarena at second base in the 10th inning, Jonny DeLuca hit a chopper to third base, but Royce Lewis' throw to first baseman Carlos Santana was off the mark, and he was charged with an error as DeLuca reached and Arozarena scored to give the Rays a 3-2 lead.

That proved to be enough of an advantage as Rays reliver Phil Maton sent Lewis, Max Kepler and Carlos Correa down in order in the bottom of the 10th to close out the game.

"I don't like pointing to the one play that's the difference in the game because if you score a few runs, like those things, you're not as concerned about those things," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "I think (Wednesday) was just kind of one of those days."

The Twins (41-33) led 2-1 until the seventh inning when Cole Sands came on in relief of Joe Ryan. While Sands quickly got the first out of the inning, he then surrendered a single to Ben Rortvedt, issued a walk to Taylor Walls and gave up an RBI infield single to Yandy Diaz that knotted the game.

Steven Okert then came on in relief of Sands and escaped the inning without allowing any additional damage despite issuing a walk to Isaac Paredes that loaded the bases.

The Twins found themselves in a jam again in the eighth inning when Josh Staumont issued back-to-back walks to Arozarena and Richie Palacios. After striking out DeLuca and getting Rortvedt to ground into a fielder’s choice, he then issued a walk to Walls that loaded the bases.

But Staumont got Diaz to fly out to left field to get out of the inning. 

The Rays (35-39) struck first during the third inning when Ryan had his only blemish of the day, giving up a 359-foot solo homer to Paredes. Ryan gave up six hits in all while fanning five in his six innings.

"I felt better initially, but I think kind of worse as it went on," Ryan said. "(Rays starter) Taj (Bradley) was just digging a freaking crater out there, and yeah, that's kind of annoying. But yeah, really solid defense ... when you have that you can just fill it up."

Bradley gave up seven hits and two runs while fanning three across six innings.

The Twins quickly knotted the game back up at 1-1 during the bottom of the third when Austin Martin led off the frame with a single, Willi Castro followed up with another single to advance him to third base and Trevor Larnach grounded into a 3-6 double play that allowed for Martin to score.

Lewis plated the go-ahead run during the fifth inning with a 410-foot solo homer to left field that bounced off the second deck videoboard, causing portions of it to go dark. Lewis remained lights out — literally — at the plate, going 3 for 4 with the homer, two singles and an intentional walk.

But in the end, the error proved costly as the Twins didn't give themselves enough breathing room.

The Twins and Rays meet for the finale of their three-game series at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday.