Twins Defeat Rays with Tristan Gray's Grand Slam

Minnesota slugger's big 7th inning blast caps 10-4 victory over Tampa Bay.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:32am

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An extreme close-up of a baseball player's powerful swing, with vibrant neon paint strokes capturing the explosive energy and motion of the hit, conceptually representing the game-changing grand slam that led to the Twins' win.A dramatic, expressionist depiction of Twins slugger Tristan Gray's game-breaking grand slam that powered his team's victory over the Rays.Minneapolis Today

Tristan Gray hit his first career grand slam in the 7th inning, driving in 5 runs total, as the Minnesota Twins pulled away for a 10-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Why it matters

The Twins' victory over the Rays, a perennial playoff contender, shows Minnesota's ability to compete with the American League's top teams and could be an early sign of their postseason aspirations this season.

The details

Gray's grand slam came as part of a big 7th inning for the Twins, who broke open a close game and cruised to the 6-run win over the Rays. Minnesota's offense has been a strength early in the season, and Gray's breakout performance was a key factor in this latest victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 4, 2026 in Minneapolis.

The players

Tristan Gray

A Minnesota Twins outfielder who hit his first career grand slam in the 7th inning to power his team's victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Minnesota Twins

The MLB team based in Minneapolis that defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4 on Friday night.

Tampa Bay Rays

The MLB team based in St. Petersburg, Florida that lost to the Minnesota Twins 10-4 on Friday night.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge hit for us. Tristan's been swinging a hot bat, and that grand slam really broke the game open for us.”

— Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins Manager

What’s next

The Twins and Rays will play the second game of their 3-game series on Saturday evening in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

Tristan Gray's grand slam highlighted the Twins' offensive firepower as they continue their strong start to the 2026 season, showing they have the potential to compete with the American League's top teams.