MINNEAPOLIS, April 12 (UPI) -- Justin Morneau hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday night as the Minnesota Twins edged the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 3-2.
Before Morneau's game-winning blast, Michael Cuddyer hit a two-run homer, and Joe Mauer and Jason Kubel had two hits apiece for the Twins, who have won their last two games.
The winner was closer Joe Nathan (1-0), who hurled a scoreless ninth inning.
Ty Wigginton hit a solo homer, Carlos Pena hit an RBI single, and Wigginton, Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford and Ben Zobrist all had two hits for the Devil Rays, who have dropped five of their last six games.
The losing pitcher was Brian Stokes (0-2).
Minnesota starter Carlos Silva scattered seven hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Tampa Bay's Casey Fossum was charged with two earned runs and six hits in seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts.
