Despite outhitting the Rays 8 to 7 and blasting two home runs, the Twins could not capitalize in game two, losing 4-2 to Princeton Tuesday in West Virginia.
With the loss, the Twins moved to 7-7 for the season as the Rays climbed to 9-5.
The Twins were led in batting by Tyler Kuresa, who went 2 of 4, while recording a double and a home run. This makes Kuresa’s eighth home run of his minor league career.
Both of the Twins’ runs came from homers, with Kuresa knocking his out in the first inning and Rainis Silva slamming his in the ninth.
For the Rays, their scoring started in the fourth inning as they posted three, before putting up one in the fifth.
The Twins only worked through two pitchers, with Alexis Tapia taking to the mound first. He went for five, during which he struck out seven batters but gave up all of the Rays’ hits and runs. Kuo Hua Lo took over for Tapia and struck out two batters.
The Rays’ Blake Bivens was awarded the win and pitched for five innings. He struck out five batters, while giving up five hits and one run. Bivens was relieved by Ian Gibaut, who recorded four strikeouts while pitching for three innings.
The Rays’ Alberto Casanas recorded save as he threw for the last inning, during which he gave up a homer to Kuresa, but was able to hold off the Twins.
The Twins and the Rays will finish up their series tomorrow in Princeton.
In other Appalachian League news, Kingsport (8-7) defeated Greeneville (7-7) 6-4. Danville (5-9) was able to grab a 6-4 win over Pulaski (8-7). Bluefield (7-8) posted a 5-1 win over Burlington (9-6). At press time, the Johnson City Cardinals (6-6) were up 2-1 over Bristol (4-8) in the sixth inning.