Longoria, Morrison belt two HRs each in Rays' 7-5 win
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[June 06, 2016]
MINNEAPOLIS -- Evan Longoria and
Logan Morrison each hit two homers to help lead the Tampa Bay Rays
to a 7-5 come-from-behind win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday
afternoon at Target Field.
The day capped a massive weekend for both players. Longoria hit at
least one homer in all four games against the Twins and had five
during the weekend, establishing a franchise record for home runs in
a series.
Morrison wasn't far behind, hitting at least one in each of the last
three games and four overall.
Tampa Bay's 11 home runs as a team in a series also set a franchise
mark.
Minnesota hit three homers of its own, getting back-to-back solo
shots from Byung Ho Park and Robbie Grossman in the third inning and
a solo blast from Eduardo Nunez that tied the score at 5 in the
bottom of the eighth.
The Rays scored two runs against Twins closer Kevin Jepsen to break
the tie in the ninth, getting a leadoff double by Steven Souza Jr.,
who advanced to third on a fielding error. Jepsen sandwiched two
walks around a strikeout before Brad Miller's sacrifice fly to left
scored Souza. Longoria followed with an RBI single to give the Rays
a two-run cushion.
Jepsen was charged with the loss, allowing two runs, two hits and
two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Jepsen is 2-5 this year and
saw his ERA jump to 6.26.
Neither starter figured into the final decision. Tampa Bay
left-hander Drew Smyly gave up four runs, seven hits and three walks
in five innings, striking out seven.
Minnesota's Tyler Duffey also gave up four runs and seven hits,
walking two and striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings.
Xavier Cedeno got the win, giving up one run in an inning of relief
and closer Alex Colome worked a spotless ninth for his 15th save
this season.
The Twins got on the board in the first inning when Nunez singled,
stole second and scored on an RBI single by Joe Mauer. Morrison's
first home run of the day cleared the right-field wall in the top of
the second before the Twins posted a three-spot in the bottom of the
third to take a 4-1 lead. Park and Grossman started the inning with
homers and Byron Buxton's RBI triple gave the Twins a three-run
lead.
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Rays catcher Curt Casali (19) celebrates scoring a run with first
baseman Logan Morrison (7) in the ninth inning against the Minnesota
Twins at Target Field. The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins
7-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Morrison hit a two-run blast in the fourth before Longoria hit solo
homers in the sixth and eighth to give the Rays their first lead of
the day at 5-4.
NOTES: Rays OF Brandon Guyer was placed on the 15-day disabled list
with a left hamstring strain. Guyer, who is hitting .271 with six
homers and 14 RBIs in 40 games this season, said he hopes to be back
as soon as his 15 days are up. ... The Rays recalled INF Nick
Franklin from Triple-A Durham to take Guyer's spot on the 25-man
roster. Franklin hit .158 in 44 games with Tampa Bay last season and
is a career .203 hitter in 174 major league games with the Rays and
Seattle Mariners. He was hitting .258 with five homers and 23 RBIs
in 51 games with Durham this season. ... Twins OF Darin Mastroianni
is swinging a bat and progressing from the strained oblique that put
him on the disabled list on May 25. ... The Rays continue their road
trip on Monday when they open a three-game series against the
Arizona Diamondbacks. Rays RHP Chris Archer (3-7, 4.75 ERA) will
oppose Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray (2-4, 4.74 ERA). ... Minnesota
will continue its homestand Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. LHP
Adam Conley (3-3, 3.72 ERA) will go against Twins LHP Pat Dean (1-2,
4.15 ERA).
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