ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 16 (UPI) -- Johnny Damon's RBI single in the ninth inning Saturday rallied the Tampa Bay Rays past Minnesota 4-3.
Trailing 3-1 after seven innings, the Rays pulled to within a run in the eighth when Matt Joyce knocked an RBI single off Twins reliever Matt Capps.
The Rays then stunned Minnesota in the ninth. Ben Zobrist blasted a game-tying homer deep to right off Minnesota closer Joe Nathan (0-1) leading off the frame.
Nathan then walked B.J. Upton and Casey Kotchman before being replaced by Jose Mijares. After Elliot Johnson struck out, Mijares walked Sam Fuld to load the bases and Damon lined a pitch to right -- his second walk-off, game-winning hit in three games for the Rays.
Juan Cruz (1-0) earned the victory with a scoreless top of the ninth.
Twins starter Scott Baker got the hard-luck no-decision after holding Tampa Bay to one run on four hits over seven innings.
Jason Kubel homered and Denard Span went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the reeling Twins, who dropped their fourth straight.
