Game 112: Matthew Joyce Leads Offensive Explosion As Rays Win 12-6

The Tampa Bay Rays jumped out to an early 8-1 lead, holding on to a 12-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Matthew Joyce kicked off the scoring with a two run home run in the top of the first, and later added a two run double in the six run second inning. The Rays batted around in the second, scoring six times with one out before Ben Zobrist hit into an inning ending double play.

Minnesota scored single runs in the third and fourth, on an RBI single by Joe Mauer and a home run by Ryan Doumit, cutting the lead to 8-3, before the Rays batted around again in the top of the sixth. scoring four more runs on a two run single by Jose Molina, and a two run double by B.J. Upton. The bases were loaded with one out, but Zobrist again grounded into a double play, ending the threat.

The Twins made the game interesting towards the end, scoring twice in the eighth to cut the lead to 12-5. Denard Span tripled to lead off the bottom of the ninth, and scored on a groundout. However, the Twins were unable to get closer, as the Rays pulled out a 12-6 victory. Jeremy Hellickson picked up the win, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings, while striking out three. Cole DeVries was shelled, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits in only 1.1 innings of work.

Matthew Joyce was 2-4 with a home run, a double, four RBIS, and two runs scored. Jose Molina was 2-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs.