The Tampa Bay Rays conclude a three-game series on the road Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. Tampa Bay is 71-45 following a 10-4 victory over Minnesota in the opening game of the series on Friday. Nelson Cruz homered in his first game in Minnesota since being traded to Tampa Bay. With the victory Tampa Bay remained in first place in the American League East five games ahead of the second-place Boston Red Sox.
Randy Arozarena is batting .271 to lead Tampa Bay and the left fielder has a team-high 106 hits. Second baseman Brandon Lowe is the leader in home runs with 26, while designated hitter Austin Meadows is the leader in RBIs with 77. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays will send Luis Patino to the mound. The right-hander is 2-3 with an ERA of 4.80, 46 Ks and 15 BBs.
Minnesota is 50-66 following its six-run loss to Tampa Bay on Friday. The Twins are fourth in the American League Central 18 games behind first-place Chicago. Minnesota is 27th in baseball in team ERA at 4.96, but the Twins are a respectable 12th in team batting average with .243. Minnesota has won five of the last eight.
Jorge Polanco is batting .271 to lead Minnesota and the Twins shortstop has 21 home runs, 62 RBIs, 112 hits and an on-base percentage of .330 to lead Minnesota in each category. Minnesota has hit 164 home runs in 116 games. Minnesota has not yet announced its starting pitcher for Sunday's final game of a three-game series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays.
