Palacios' 10th-inning homer lifts Rays over Twins

Tampa Bay wins 900th career game for manager Kevin Cash

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:18pm

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Richie Palacios hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Junior Caminero also went deep for the Rays, who concluded a nine-game road trip with the 900th career win for manager Kevin Cash. Matt Wallner homered for the Twins, who had just three hits for the second straight game.

Why it matters

The Rays' win extends their strong start to the season and marks a milestone for manager Kevin Cash, who has led the team to consistent success over the past several years. For the Twins, the loss continues their early-season struggles at the plate, raising questions about their offensive production.

The details

Palacios' go-ahead homer in the 10th inning came on the second pitch he saw from Twins reliever Justin Topa. Caminero added an insurance run with a bases-loaded walk. Bryan Baker earned the win in relief, while Kevin Kelly recorded the save for the Rays. Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson allowed one earned run over 6.2 innings, but the offense was held in check by Rays starter Nick Martinez.

  • The game took place on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • Palacios' game-winning homer came in the 10th inning.

The players

Richie Palacios

A Tampa Bay Rays outfielder who hit the game-winning two-run homer in the 10th inning.

Kevin Cash

The manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, who earned his 900th career win with the team.

Matt Wallner

A Minnesota Twins outfielder who hit a solo home run in the game.

Simeon Woods Richardson

The Minnesota Twins starting pitcher, who allowed one earned run over 6.2 innings.

Nick Martinez

The Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher, who pitched six innings of one-hit ball.

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What they’re saying

“It was a big win for us to close out this road trip. Richie came up big in the clutch, and our pitching staff did a great job keeping us in the game.”

— Kevin Cash, Rays Manager

What’s next

The Rays will return home to Tropicana Field on Monday to face the Cubs, while the Twins will host the Tigers in a four-game series.

The takeaway

The Rays' extra-inning victory showcases their ability to win close games, even on the road, as they continue their strong start to the season. For the Twins, the loss highlights their early-season offensive struggles, which they'll look to address in the upcoming homestand.