Royce Lewis slugged a three-run homer and Max Kepler hit a mammoth solo home run, but those were the only plays to write home about in the Twins’ 7-4 loss to the Rays Monday night in Minneapolis.
Max Kepler launched this ball 425 feet, but I’m convinced that it went farther #MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/XvIxy42gvF— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) September 12, 2023
Kepler’s homer cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 2-1 in the fourth inning but the Rays responded with a three-run homer from Taylor Walls in the fifth and then a solo homer from Yandy Diaz highlighted a two-run sixth inning to give the Rays a 7-1 lead.
The damage was done when the bullpen replaced Sonny Gray, who lasted just four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk. Dylan Floro took the ball in the fifth inning and gave up the three-run shot to Walls. Brent Headrick pitched the next 2 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits.
The Twins responded with back-to-back singles from Eddy Julien and Alex Kirilloff to start the sixth and then Lewis hit a rocket off Tyler Glasnow deep into the left field seats to cut Tampa’s lead to 7-4.
Royce Lewis has 14 homers through 62 career games, the second-most in #MNTwins history.
4 — grand slams
3 — three-runs
2 — two-runs
5 — solosLewis also has the most RBIs (49) and second-most total bases (124) in Twins history through 62 career games.pic.twitter.com/0WsuEr7gZD
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 12, 2023
Lewis is up to 44 RBI in just 50 games with the Twins this season. That ranks fourth on the team, trailing only Michael A. Taylor (47), Max Kepler (57) and Carlos Correa (63).
Up next: Twins vs. Rays, Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. CT.
