Taylor Walls Delivers in Rays' 9-4 Victory Over Twins

Rays' Shortstop's 10th-Inning Homer Secures Win

Tampa Bay Earns First Series Sweep of 2023

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Taylor Walls' 10th-inning solo home run lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 9-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep. The Rays, who have now won four straight games, improved to 10-9 on the season. The Twins, meanwhile, fell to 5-14, their worst start to a season since 2016. Walls' home run came off Twins reliever Cole Sands (0-1). With one out in the inning, Walls worked the count to 3-2 before launching a 95 mph fastball over the wall in right-center field. The home run was Walls' first of the season and the second of his career. It also extended his hitting streak to six games. "I was just trying to put a good swing on it and hit it hard," Walls said. "I'm glad I was able to come through for the team." Rays manager Kevin Cash was impressed with Walls' performance. "He's been swinging the bat really well lately," Cash said. "He's a young player who is starting to come into his own." The Rays took an early lead in the game, scoring two runs in the first inning off Twins starter Bailey Ober. Yandy Diaz drove in the first run with a single, and Harold Ramirez followed with a sacrifice fly. The Twins tied the game in the third inning on a two-run home run by Jose Miranda. But the Rays regained the lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Isaac Paredes. The Twins tied the game again in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Nick Gordon. However, the Rays took the lead for good in the sixth inning on a two-run double by Randy Arozarena. Rays reliever JT Chargois (1-0) earned the win, allowing one hit and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings. Sands took the loss, allowing one run on one hit in one inning. "It was a good win for us," Cash said. "We played well in all phases of the game." The Rays will now head to Toronto for a three-game series against the Blue Jays. The Twins will return home to face the Cleveland Guardians in a three-game series.