(Sports Network) – Matt Joyce’s pinch-hit grand slam put the finishing touches on Tampa Bay’s seven-run eighth inning, highlighting an 8-6 comeback win over Minnesota in the continuation of a four-game series.
The Rays, who split the first two in this set, were stymied by Francisco Liriano through seven innings before rallying against the Twins’ bullpen.
Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Willy Aybar each drove in a run during the game-shifting eighth. Crawford finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI in the win, which was credited to Randy Choate (1-2) for throwing a scoreless home seven.
The turnaround took Wade Davis off the hook after the starter surrendered four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Liriano threw seven innings of one-run ball but did not factor in the decision despite striking out 10 and allowing just four hits and a walk for the Twins, who had won three of four coming in.
Minnesota’s Jim Thome went 3-for-4 with three RBI and hit a pair of home runs, the second moving him past Twins great Harmon Killebrew into sole possession of 10th place on the all-time home run list with 574.