ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Jeremy Hellickson threw seven solid innings in his major league debut Monday, pacing the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 decision over Minnesota.
Hellickson (1-0) allowed two runs on only three hits, walking two and striking out six to notch a victory in his initial appearance since being called up from Class AAA Durham.
Randy Choate recorded two crucial outs in the eighth and ninth innings and Dan Wheeler completed the final frame to earn his third save of the year and boost the Rays to their ninth victory in 10 games.
The Twins' had an eight-game winning streak snapped.
Matt Joyce drove in a pair of runs with a fifth-inning double to cap a three-run rally for the Rays, who entered the contest one game behind the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East.
Twins starter Carl Pavano (13-7) lost for the first time in his last 10 decisions. He surrendered four runs on nine hits in six innings.
Minnesota fell a full game behind the idle first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
