MLB: Minnesota 4, Tampa Bay 3

MINNEAPOLIS, April 29 (UPI) -- Minnesota's Justin Morneau drove in three runs and beat out a double-play ball to score the winning run in the Twins' 4-3 win over Tampa Bay Tuesday.

Morneau, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning, chopped a ground ball in the bottom of the ninth to second baseman Akinori Iwamura, who was able to force the runner at second but was too late to get Morneau at first as Jose Morales crossed home to snap the 3-3 tie.

The late heroics gave the win to Joe Nathan (1-0) who had allowed Tampa Bay to tie the game in the top of the ninth on a lead-off home run by pinch-hitter Ben Zobrist.

"This team always plays us tough," Morneau said. "With Joe Nathan on the mound the game is over 99 percent of the time, but sometimes we have to pick each other up and we did that tonight."

Twins starter Francisco Liriano went 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks.

J J.P. Howell (0-2) was pinned with the loss in relief. Rays starter James Shields gave up three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Minnesota got to Howell early with two runs in the first on Morneau's homer to left-center.

The Floridians tied the game 2-2 in the sixth on an RBI double by Evan Longoria and a sacrifice fly by Willy Aybar. The Twins jumped back in front 3-2 in their half of the sixth when Brian Buscher was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.