The Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday afternoon 9-7, to close out their road-trip with back-to-back victories.
It is the first time the Twins have won a series in Tampa since 2006.
Final: #MNTwins 9, #Rays 7: Hicks and Suzuki each with three RBIs. Twins win first series in Tampa since '06. Back above .500 at 11-10.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 24, 2014
The bottom of the Twins order did the damage in Thursday’s game. Former Rays’ outfielder, Sam Fuld led the charge against his former team. He was 3-5 with two doubles and 2RBIs. Kurt Suzuki was 3-4 with 3RBIs and Aaron Hicks homered. The three drove combined to drive in eight of the nine Twins runs.
A four-run fifth inning allowed the Twins to reopen the game, the inning was highlighted by the Hicks three-run blast.
Ricky Nolasco gave up six runs on 10 hits in six innings, but picked up the win. That wasn’t a great start, but it was good enough after the bullpen was taxed during their 12 inning victory on Wednesday night.
Ricky Nolasco leads the AL in hits allowed and his 3.9 K/9 rate is second-worst. Biggest offseason pickup needs to get it going.
— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) April 24, 2014
Nolasco was helped by the run support. It was the fifth time in just 21 games, this season the Twins have scored nine runs, in a game.
The #MNTwins have scored at least nine runs five times in 21 games this year. They did it just seven times in 162 games last year.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 24, 2014
Glenn Perkins pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season.
The Twins (11-10) return to Target Field to face Detroit, Friday night.
