Rays Hammer Twins 12-5

The Twins lost 12-5 to Tampa Bay at home in their hopes of a sweep against the Rays at Target Field.  Tampa Bay scored 4 8th inning runs and added 3 more runs in the 9th inning to secure the win.  Alex Burnett and Phil Dumatrait were each roughed up by the Rays.  Burnett allowed 4 hits and 4 earned runs in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss and drop to 2-5.  Francisco Liriano started the game for the Twins and allowed 6 hits and 5 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Michael Cuddyer was 2-4 with a homerun and 3 RBIs and Tsuyoshi Nishioka was 3-3 with a run scored for the Twins.  Minnesota is 38-47 and 8 games back of Cleveland for first place in the American League Central.

The Twins begin a 4-game series at Chicago against the White Sox tonight at 7:10, pregame on WJON at 6:40.  Righthander Carl Pavano (5-6) gets the start on the mound for the Twins and righthander Phil Humber (8-4) toes the rubber for Chicago.