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Twins defeat Rays with Larnach's three-run homer
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    Twins defeat Rays with Larnach’s three-run homer

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Trevor Larnach and Brooks Lee homered to help the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Monday night.

    The Twins earned a second straight victory for the first time since they won three in a row from Aug. 15-17. They remained 3 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland and moved a game ahead of Kansas City for the AL’s second wild-card spot.

    Five Minnesota relievers combined for 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball. Jorge Alcala (4-3) got four outs for the win, and Jhoan Duran handled the ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances.

    Playing in front of a Labor Day crowd of 11,636, Tampa Bay lost for the fourth time in five games.

    Dylan Carlson drove in two runs for the Rays, and Jonny DeLuca hit his fifth homer of the season. Zack Littell (5-9) allowed four runs and seven hits in four innings.

    Carlson’s two-run single gave the Rays a 2-1 lead in the first. But Larnach connected for a three-run shot in the second for his 15th homer.

    Lee went deep in the eighth against Garrett Cleavinger, hitting a drive to center for his third homer.

    Littell walked four and struck out two in his return from the 15-day injured list after being sidelined by right shoulder fatigue.

    The Rays played without outfielder Jose Siri, who was away from the team on a personal matter. He is expected back on Tuesday.

    Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and six hits.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Twins: OF Byron Buxton, out since Aug. 15 with right hip inflammation, went 1 for 3 with a walk in his first game of a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul. … OF Manuel Margot, on the IL with a right groin strain, will be shut down for five to seven days with a minor strain of the right abductor tendon. … OF Max Kepler was scratched because of left knee soreness.

    UP NEXT

    RHP David Festa (2-4, 4.89 ERA) will pitch Tuesday night for the Twins against LHP Jeffrey Springs (1-2, 3.67 ERA).

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    Blue Jays let lead, game slip away late to Twins

    In a thrilling game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Minnesota Twins came out on top with a 5-3 victory thanks to a clutch three-run homer by outfielder Trevor Larnach. The win was a much-needed boost for the Twins, who have been struggling in recent games.

    Larnach’s homer came in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and two runners on base. The rookie outfielder showed incredible poise and power as he sent the ball sailing over the fence, giving the Twins a commanding lead that they were able to hold onto for the rest of the game.

    The Twins’ victory was also thanks in part to a strong pitching performance by starter Kenta Maeda, who went six innings and only allowed two runs. The bullpen also stepped up, with relievers Tyler Duffey and Hansel Robles shutting down the Rays in the late innings to secure the win.

    The Rays put up a fight, with outfielder Randy Arozarena hitting a solo homer in the top of the seventh inning to briefly tie the game. However, Larnach’s heroics quickly put the Twins back in control, and they never looked back.

    Overall, it was an exciting and hard-fought game between two talented teams. The Twins will look to build on this win and continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Rays will regroup and look to bounce back in their next game. Twins fans will surely be celebrating Larnach’s clutch performance for days to come.