MLB: Minnesota 7, Tampa Bay 5

MINNEAPOLIS, July 22 (UPI) -- Michael Cuddyer put Minnesota in front with a solo homer in the eighth Thursday, giving the Twins a 7-5 win over Tampa Bay.

Minnesota won its fourth straight, thanks in part to a grand slam homer from Nick Punto. Shannon Stewart went two for three with two runs scored.

Tampa Bay's Rocco Baldelli also had a grand slam to tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth, but the Devil Rays went on to lose their third straight.

Cuddyer led off the bottom of the eighth by putting an 0-2 pitch from Travis Harper over the left-center field wall.

The win went to reliever Jose Romero (5-1), who worked the eighth. Joe Nathan came on in the ninth to record his 27th save in 28 chances.