The Minnesota Twins could not overcome a three-run first inning by the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, and fell for the third consecutive game in a 4-2 loss.
Twins starter Nick Blackburn was tagged right away on back-to-back home runs from B.J. Upton and Matt Joyce in the top of the first inning that put the game at 3-0. Although he settled down to only give up one earned run, another homer to B.J. Upton, over his next five innings, Blackburn's poor start to the day proved to be too much for his offense to overcome.
After having his 21-game hit streak snapped earlier in the week, Twins leadoff hitter Ben Revere finished 0-for-4 and did not reach base. A solo home run from the bat of shortstop Brian Dozier in the fifth inning cut the Tampa Bay lead to 4-2 and provided a brief spark, but four straight scoreless frames pitched by Rays starter David Price and his bullpen kept the Twins at bay.
Hoping to buck the trend and avoid a sweep on Sunday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will look to left-hander Scott Diamond in the third and final game of the series.
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