Nick Franklin, Evan Longoria homer but Rays drop homestand finale to Twins
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- After ending their homestand on a losing note, the Tampa Bay Rays head out on a six-game road trip that will include Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez's final game.
Miguel Sano homered twice and drove in four runs as the Minnesota Twins took two of three in a series between the teams with the AL's worst records by beating the Rays 6-3 on Sunday.
"I think that one got away from us a little bit," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said.
After three game against Toronto, the Rays head to Yankee Stadium for A-Rod's finale Friday night.
Tampa Bay outfielder Steven Souza Jr. said A-Rod was one his favorite players growing up.
"I know it hasn't been the season that David Ortiz is having this year with his send-off," Souza said. "But the way he played the game, PED or not, he was extremely talented and so hopefully we can send him off with a thank you for a great career."
Chris Archer is lined up for Friday's start.
Sano put the Twins up 3-1 on a three-run shot off Matt Andriese in the third and added a solo drive during the ninth against Ryan Garton. The blasts were estimated at 425 and 419 feet, respectively.
Sano also became the first player to hit a ball off the roof at Tropicana Field, which opened in 1998, when his pop fly hit 210 feet above the playing surface in the first before being caught by third baseman Evan Longoria.
"I looked up and the ball kind of disappeared," Andriese said. "I wasn't too sure exactly where it went but Longo kept his eye on it so that's cool."
Nick Franklin and Longoria homered for the Rays. Longoria has seven homers in seven games against Minnesota this season.
"I'm a fan," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Longoria. "It's fun to watch him play the game. He's certainly done a lot of damage against us."
Andriese (6-3) allowed three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Kyle Gibson (4-6) gave up two runs, six hits and walked four over five innings to get his first win over Tampa Bay after four losses. Brandon Kintzler, the Twins' fourth reliever, pitched the ninth for his ninth save.
Brian Dozier extended his career-high hitting streak to 16 games with a single in the seventh and later scored to make it 4-2 on Max Kepler's sacrifice fly.
Kepler had two hits and also made a diving catch in right field during the seventh to take a hit away from Logan Forsythe.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) is scheduled to pitch four innings for Triple-A Durham Wednesday. . 1B Logan Morrison (strained right forearm) and OF Oswaldo Arcia (strained right elbow) will work out Monday with Class A Charlotte.
UP NEXT
Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (6-5) will take a stretch of three consecutive scoreless stars (20 2/3 innings) into his outing Monday night against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (8-12).
