Wacha goes 6 effective innings, Rays beat Twins 5-3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Wacha struck out seven over six innings, Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI triple during a three-run second and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 on Friday night.

The AL East-leading Rays had lost two straight following a nine-game winning streak.

Wacha (3-4) gave up two runs and three hits, including two homers. He was 0-2 with a 6.99 ERA in his previous eight starts.

Andrew Kittredge, the third Tampa Bay reliever, worked the ninth to get his sixth save.

Jorge Polanco and Ryan Jeffers homered for the Twins.

Randy Dobnak (1-7), making his first start since June 19 after being sidelined by a right middle finger strain, allowed five runs and six hits over seven innings. The right-hander retired his final 15 batters.

Austin Meadows doubled leading off the second, went to third on a wild pitch and came home on Randy Arozarena’s broken-bat grounder. Kiermaier hit his triple and scored to make it 3-1 on Yandy Díaz’s grounder.

Nelson Cruz, acquired from Minnesota in July, had a run-scoring double, and Meadows picked up his 94th RBI with a single that put Tampa Bay ahead 5-1 in the third.

Polanco connected on his career-high 25th homer in the first. Only Chili Davis, with 29 in 1991, has more homers as a switch-hitter in a season in Twins history.

Jeffers had a fifth-inning solo drive. Polanco got the Twins within 5-3 in the eighth on an RBI double down the left-field line that Meadows appeared to over slide.

WANDER-LESS

Rays SS Wander Franco didn’t play, one day after leaving Thursday’s game against Boston with a headache.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said tests were negative and anticipates the 20-year old will be back within a game or two.

FLASHING LEATHER

Twins CF Byron Buxton...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Wacha-goes-6-effective-innings-Rays-beat-Twins-16435019.php