Tampa Bay Rays’ Yandy Díaz celebrates as he rounds the bases after his two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Sunday, April 26, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
St. Petersburg, FL – Yandy Diaz delivered a 2-run homer in the third inning as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field.
Jesse Scholtens (2-1, 3.21 ERA) picks up the win for the Rays who improve to a season high five games over .500 at 16-11. Scholtens worked 4.1-innings allowing two runs, both earned on three hits while striking out one and walking three. Bryan Baker worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his sixth save. With the sweep of the Twins the Rays finish their homestand 4-2.
Simeon Woods Richardson (0-4, 6.30 ERA) took the loss for the Twins who fall to 12-16. He worked 4.1-innings allowing four runs all earned on eight hits while striking out two and walking three. He made 78 pitches with 47 for strikes.
For Openers:
Griffin Jax was in the role of opener and worked the first 2.1 scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk. He made 31 pitches with 20 for strikes including first pitch strikes to five of the eight batters he faced. One has to wonder, given Jax prior history as a starter, the Rays lack of depth due to injuries to Joe Boyle and Ryan Pepiot, if this isn’t the beginning of stretching Jax back out into a starting role. In 2023, the Rays started the transition from bullpen to start with Zack Littell with a pair of 2 inning openers with a relief appearance in between.
Aranda and Diaz Open Scoring:
Jonathan Aranda singled in Hunter Feduccia and Chandler Simpson with 1-out in the bottom of the third to give the Rays the early 2-0 lead. Yandy Diaz followed with a 2-run homer to right to double the Rays lead to 4-0. It was Diaz’s 4th homer on the season and was the eventual game winning hit. With the homer Diaz has 20 RBI on the season joining Aranda (23) as the two Rays players with 20 or more RBI.
Twins Cut Lead In 7th:
With 2-out in the top of the seventh inning Brooks Lee pulled a home run just inside the foul pole in right field. The Rays requested a review on the homer, but the home run was confirmed. The homer was Lee’s fifth on the season and cut the Rays lead to 4-2. The homer also ended Jesse Scholtens afternoon as he was replaced by Cole Sulser.
Sulser and Baker Close The Door:
Cole Sulser entered the game with 2-out in the seventh inning with the Rays holding a 4-2 lead. He worked 1.1-innings of scoreless baseball allowing just one hit before turning the ball over to Brian Baker who retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his sixth save on the season.
Roster Move:
Prior to the game, the Rays activated right handed reliever Casey Legumina to the active roster. To make room on the roster right handed reliever Trevor Martin was optioned to the Rays Triple-A affiliate Durham Bulls. Legumina was acquired from the Seattle Mariners for minor league pitcher Ty Cummings. Legumina had made eight appearances for the Mariners before being designated for assignment working to a 4.63 ERA (6ER/11.2IP). Cummings was originally a member of the Mariners organization and was included as the player in the Randy Arozarena trade on July 26, 2024 (Rays also received minor league outfielder Aidan Smith and minor league pitcher Brody Hopkins). Cummings has spent this season with the Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits appearing in three games posting a 1.69 ERA (1ER/5.1IP)
Up Next:
Tampa Bay heads to the Buckeye State for a three game series against the Cleveland Guardians starting Monday night. Steven Matz (3-1, 4.81 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays and the Guardians counter with lefty Parker Messick (3-0, 1.76 ERA). First pitch is set at 6:10 p.m. EST.
The Twins return home to begin a seven game homestand beginning Monday night against the Seattle Mariners. The Twins will start left-hander Connor Prielipp (0-0, 4.50 ERA) and the Mariners will counter with right handed pitcher Luis Castillo (0-1, 5.01 ERA) with first pitch at 6:40 p.m. CST.