Willi Castro had the big hit for the Twins Tuesday night, launching a two-run homer to give Minnesota a 3-2 lead – a score they won by thanks to the bullpen holding the lead.
Minnesota trailed 2-1 when Castro stepped to the plate with two outs in the seventh inning and took Tampa Bay starter and former Twins right-hander Zack Littell deep.
WILLI CASTRO FOR THE LEAD!!!
Where would we be without him?#MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/fMMGRWholw— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) September 13, 2023
The Twins threatened to open up the lead when they had runners at first and second with nobody out in the eighth, but Royce Lewis struck out on three pitches and Donovan Solano popped out harmlessly to second base. Max Kepler walked to load the bases but Carlos Correa popped out to short center to end the inning.
Minnesota’s first run of the game came on Eddy Julien’s 12th homer of the season.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz, who entered the game second in the AL with a .324 batting average, left the game with a testicular contusion after a foul ball bounced off the dirt and struck him between the legs.
Here’s the replay…
Tough night at the office for Yandy Diaz. Oof. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/ZhsxGPEqIz
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) September 13, 2023
Up next: Twins vs. Rays, Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. CT.
