With a full-count and two out in the top of the ninth, Randy Arozarena launched a 448-foot home run to hand the Tampa Bay Rays a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins Wednesday afternoon.
The Twins had come back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game up on Max Kepler’s triple, but neither side could make the breakthrough until Arozarena hit a 2-out bomb off Griffin Jax, who had the Rays’ outfielder on a full count.
The Rays had taken the lead in the top of the second when Osleivis Basabe ground into fielder’s choice bring in Curtis Maed. Three batters later, Yandy Diaz hit a two-run double to left field to give the Rays a 3-0 lead, with Mead adding another RBI the next inning with a double.
The Twins started their comeback attempt with a pair of solo homers from Matt Wallner and Kyle Farmer. Kepler’s triple to right in the bottom of the fifth brought in two runs.
Only two on the bases this time, but he still cleared 'em. pic.twitter.com/DXGCryWMiE
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 13, 2023
Dallas Keuchel allowed four runs on six hits while striking out three in just four innings of work.
Minnesota’s bullpen made it through the next three and two-thirds innings without allowing a run until Arozarena had the final say.
Minnesota, who are now 76-70, start a four-game series with the White Sox Thursday in Chicago.
There's raking… and then there's RAKING@RandyArozarena to the THIRD deck pic.twitter.com/Db5na2CPqp
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 13, 2023
