Twins drop finale to Rays, have lost three of four

TAMPA Fla The Twins momentum that saw them get back in the American League Central race ended in sweltering Florida Pablo L pez gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three on Wednesday in a - loss to Tampa Bay Minnesota managed just one hit in six innings against Rays starter Drew Rasmussen and couldn t break through with five hits in the final three innings against three relievers The loss is the Twins third in four games and dropped them to - tied with Cleveland in the Central at six games behind Detroit Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero hit fourth-inning home runs and Drew Rasmussen allowed one hit in six innings to lead Tampa Bay Lowe led off the fourth with his th home run Caminero hit his th with Jonathan Aranda aboard Aranda added an RBI single and the Rays also scored on a balk Lowe Aranda and Caminero had two hits each Chandler Simpson stole two bases for this season Rasmussen - gave up a single to his former Oregon State teammate Trevor Larnach on the second pitch of the meeting He also allowed a walk and a hit-by-pitch He struck out five Rasmussen won his third straight six-inning scoreless start Edwin Uceta Mason Montgomery and Connor Seabold completed the Rays fifth shutout this season The Rays finished their homestand - L pez - lost for the first time in five May starts He had given up three homers all season before Wednesday The Twins finished with six singles including -year-old rookie Carson McCusker s first MLB hit Key moment Uceta gave up consecutive singles to open the seventh inning but then retired the next three batters with Josh Lowe making a leaping catch of Royce Lewis fly ball at the right-field wall for the third out Key stat Brandon Lowe extended his hitting streak to games one shy of his career high He is of for a average with four homers and six RBIs during the streak Up next The Rays are at Houston on Thursday with Shane Baz - pitching The Astros hadn t stated a starter The Twins are at Seattle on Friday with Zebby Matthews - facing the Mariners Bryan Woo - Related Articles Clemens homers again as Twins beat Rays Hot Twins run into trouble against hotter Tampa Bay Twins ready for three-city Minor League Road Trip Twins threaten but fall in series finale to Royals Twins Matt Wallner s return draws nearer though results in Triple-A won t hasten it