St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) – B.J. Upton and Sean Rodriguez each hit a three-run homer and Jeff Niemann pitched seven solid innings, as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins, 6-4, in the continuation of a four-game series at Tropicana Field.
Niemann (10-3) allowed three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts for the Rays, who have won three straight games and 10 of its last 11 games overall.
Joe Mauer drove in three runs for the Twins, who entered this series with an eight-game win streak but have now lost two straight after dropping Monday’s series opener.
With a Yankees loss, the Rays are in sole posession of 1st place in the AL East.
The Rays magic number is 56.