Denard Span celebrates surviving an umpires challenge./CARMEN MANDATO
Saturday, 2 a.m.
Span drove in three runs for Tampa Bay./CARMEN MANDATO
Sometimes, it's better to walk off than run away.
Just ask the Tampa Bay Rays, who endured a gut-punch on their way to an 8-7, 10-inning win over the Minnesota Twins. It was a game with the lowest of lows, and one that finished with the highest of highs.
Tampa Bay led 6-2 with two outs, and two strikes, in the bottom of the eighth when Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam to tie the game. The Twins took a 7-6 lead in the ninth when Max Kepler hit a solo homer.
Already, Span is among the Rays' most clutch players./CARMEN MANDATO
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Carlos Gomez gives two thumb's up after scoring in the ninth./CARMEN MANDATO
But the Rays tied the game when Brad Miller singled in Carlos Gomez (who had been hit by a pitch and stole second) with two out in the ninth. The Rays scored the winning run in the tenth when Denard Span was safe at first on an error by pitcher Zack Duke, who was unable to find the bag as he covered.
Ramos doubles in the 10th inning in Rays' comeback./CARMEN MANDATO
“That was one of the more interesting games I’ve been a part of in the last four years with the Rays," said manager Kevin Cash. "I’m glad we came out on top. Between Archer's performance and Denard Span coming up clutch for us, it gave us every opportunity to win the game."
Archer pitched well, going 6 2/3 innings of four-hit baseball. He was denied the win, however, when Sergio Romo gave up the grand slam to Rosario.
"I thought Arch was really good," Cash said. "That shouldn’t get lost in the way the game ended there. I was really impressed with the way he threw the ball. That’s what’s made him special over his career. He’s a power pitcher."
Hechavarria's average is up to .250./CARMEN MANDATO
Span had three RBI in the game. He has been one of the Rays biggest hitters in the clutch all season.
"The guy is clutch, he’s really clutch," Cash said. "We like that presence he provides with men on base. That’s when you see the veteran player who sometimes has that experience to not do too much, to stay within yourself. Denard has shown that throughout."
The Rays play the Twins again today at 6:10 p.m. Blake Snell pitches against Kyle Gibson.
Archer ducks to avoid a broken bat./CARMEN MANDATO
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