Rays Defeat Twins 7-1 in Series-Leveling Victory

Tampa Bay's offense erupts with seven runs to even the three-game set

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:22am

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The Tampa Bay Rays cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night in Minneapolis. Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz each drove in two runs for the Rays, who evened the series at one win apiece. Rays starter Steven Matz allowed just one run on two hits over six strong innings, while Twins pitcher Mick Abel struggled with his command and surrendered four runs in four innings.

Why it matters

The Rays' win levels the series and sets up a rubber match on Sunday, with both teams looking to take the series lead. The game also showcased the Rays' offensive firepower, as they were able to pile on the runs against the Twins' pitching staff.

The details

The Rays jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, with Aranda delivering a two-run double. The Twins got on the board in the bottom half of the inning, but the Rays added runs in the third, fifth, and eighth innings to pull away. Matz was strong on the mound for Tampa Bay, striking out eight batters over his six innings of work.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 4, 2026 in Minneapolis.
  • The Rays and Twins will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Jonathan Aranda

A Rays infielder who drove in two runs with a double in the second inning.

Yandy Diaz

A Rays outfielder who drove in two runs, including an RBI triple in the eighth inning.

Steven Matz

The Rays' starting pitcher, who allowed just one run on two hits over six innings with eight strikeouts.

Mick Abel

The Twins' starting pitcher, who struggled with his command and gave up four runs in four innings.

Brooks Lee

A Twins infielder who drove in the team's lone run with a single in the second inning.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to bounce back after last night's loss, and the guys really stepped up tonight to even the series.”

— Kevin Cash, Rays Manager

What’s next

The Rays and Twins will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

The Rays' offensive outburst and strong pitching performance from Matz evened the series and set up an intriguing rubber match between the two AL contenders on Sunday. The game showcased the Rays' ability to respond after a loss and their depth throughout the lineup.