Minneapolis, MN - Rondell White hit a pair of home runs and
Brad Radke was good through seven innings, as the Minnesota Twins downed the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 7-2, in the third game of a four-game series at the
Metrodome.
Radke (8-7) allowed just two runs on four hits with four strikeouts to win his
fourth straight decision. Nick Punto added two runs batted in while Luis
Castillo had three hits for the Twins, who have won six straight games.
The Twins also extended their winning streak against Tampa Bay to 11 straight,
dating back to 2004.
Greg Norton and Jonny Gomes both homered for the Devil Rays, who have lost six
in a row and nine of 10. Jae Seo (0-4) as yet to record a win in a Devil Ray
uniform in four starts as he was tagged for seven runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3
innings.
Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the second on Norton's solo home run, his sixth
of the season. However, the Twins answered in the bottom of the frame with
White's solo homer.
The Twins then broke the game open with four runs in the fifth inning.
White began the frame with his second solo homer of the game and third home
run of the season to take a 2-1 lead. Jason Tyner then singled and moved to
second on Jason Bartlett's ground out before getting to third on Castillo's
single to center. Punto then plated both runners with a triple that staked
Minnesota to a 4-1 edge.
After Joe Mauer was intentionally walked, Michael Cuddyer scored Punto with a
sacrifice fly to left field.
Gomes got the Devil Rays a run back in the sixth with a solo homer, but the
Twins countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning for a 5-2 lead as
Bartlett laced a run-scoring triple before scoring on a single by Castillo.
Game Notes
Seo, who was acquired from the Dodgers, saw his overall record fall to
2-8.
Castillo has hit safely in 13 straight games.
Tampa Bay faces a tall
task if it is going to snap its losing streak in the series finale Thursday as
the Twins send Johan Santana to the hill. The Devil Rays counter with James
Shields.
© 2006 The Sports Network
USA
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