Twins vs Rays Recap: Rays power up late for 4-2 win

The Minnesota Twins traveled to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, April 26, hoping to bounce back after losing the previous day. The Rays had momentum on their side, coming off a strong 6–1 victory. Unfortunately for Minnesota, this game didn't go much better. Tampa Bay's pitching was dominant early, and their bats came alive in the third inning. When Aranda singled to center, two runners scored immediately, giving the Rays a 2–0 lead. Just moments later, Díaz launched a home run over the right field wall, extending Tampa Bay's advantage to 4–0. The Twins' starter Simeon Woods Richardson struggled to contain the damage. Minnesota's pitching depth was being tested early, and the Rays were making the most of their opportunities at the plate.

Minnesota couldn't let Tampa Bay run away with the game completely. Although the Rays controlled the early innings, the Twins showed resilience and determination in the seventh inning. That's when Lee stepped up and delivered a crucial moment for Minnesota. He crushed a home run to right field, measuring 333 feet off the bat at an impressive 96 miles per hour exit velocity. Outman scored ahead of him, cutting Tampa Bay's lead to just 4–2. It was a bright spot for the struggling Twins, who were fighting hard despite being down by multiple runs. The home run gave Minnesota hope that they could make this a competitive game. Lee's powerful swing demonstrated the kind of offensive spark the Twins needed to stay in the contest.

The Twins' comeback effort came up short in the end. After holding the Rays scoreless from the fourth through eighth innings, Tampa Bay exploded in the ninth inning with four more runs. That burst essentially sealed the victory for the home team at 8–2. Although Minnesota made things interesting with Lee's seventh-inning homer, they couldn't generate enough offense to win the game. The final score was Tampa Bay 4, Minnesota 2, but it was actually 8 runs versus 2 runs overall. The Rays' pitching depth, led by their starting pitcher Griffin Jax, held firm when it mattered. For Minnesota, this loss extended their difficult stretch. The Twins fell to 12–16 on the season, while Tampa Bay improved to 16–11. Sunday's game demonstrated the importance of early offensive production and steady pitching.