Rays rout Twins; Liriano now 1-4

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Ben Zobrist drove in three runs while Johnny Damon extended his hitting streak to 14 games, as the Tampa Bay Rays downed the Minnesota Twins, 8-2, in a chilly start of the three-game series at Target Field.

Damon finished with two RBI for the Rays, who have won three straight and climbed over .500 for the first time this season. The Rays have been on fire since an 0-6 start and are now 12-11, good for second place in the AL East.

Tampa Bay starter Wade Davis (3-2) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits for his third straight win.

Alexi Casilla and Jason Kubel each drove in a run for the Twins, who had a three-game winning streak halted. Francisco Liriano (1-4) was rocked for seven runs on six hits in just three-plus innings.

The series was slated to start on Tuesday but rain caused a postponement and the teams played through snow throughout most of Wednesday's game. There will be a day/night doubleheader on Thursday.

Despite the cold temperatures, the Rays came out hot.

Sam Fuld led off the game with a double into right and came around to score on Damon's single. The Rays continued to get after Liriano, as B.J. Upton doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs, which set up Zobrist's base-clearing triple.

Sean Rodriguez singled in Zobrist to end the span of five-straight Tampa Bay hits to start the game and take quick 4-0 lead.

Snow started to fall at Target field in the third when Kubel put the Twins on the board with an RBI single to score Matt Tolbert, who led off the inning with a double.

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The Minnesota Twins have placed outfielder Delmon Young on the 15-day disabled list with sore ribs, retroactive to April 19th. Manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters after last night's loss that Young had taken part in pre-game warm-ups, but was scratched from the lineup after complaining of tightening in the oblique. To fill the spot, the Twins have recalled outfielder Rene Tosoni from Triple-A Rochester. Minnesota also recalled pitcher Anthony Swarzak from Triple-A Rochester. He will start tonight's game against the Rays. To make room for Swarzak, the Twins optioned Eric Hacker back to Rochester.

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Fans who are holding tickets from Tuesday's rainout between the Twins and Rays can only use those tickets for tonight's make-up game. Tickets will not be refunded or exchanged. This evening's re-scheduled game begins at 7:10 pm. at Target Field, just hours after the completion of the originally-scheduled matinee contest, which begins at 12:10 p.m. The Twins had only one home game rained out all of last season, but already have encountered two home wash outs this season.

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