(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Twins couldn’t close out a four-run comeback with a victory during a 5-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field.
The Twins trailed 4-0 through two-and-a-half innings, but Matt Wallner and Kyle Farmer hit back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to two runs. Max Kepler tied the game with a two-run double in the fifth, but Minnesota managed just one hit against the Rays bullpen the rest of the way. Griffin Jax gave up a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth and was charged with his 10th loss.
The Twins still have a 7 1/2 game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central at 76-70. Kenta Maeda starts for Minnesota against the White Sox tonight.
In other team news, the Twins announced that Byron Buxton should return to the lineup soon after getting a cortisone shot in his injured right knee on Sunday.
