Relievers Brandon Gomes, Alex Colome and Brad Boxberger combined for 4 2-3 scoreless innings and the Tampa Bay Rays ended Minnesota’s six-game winning streak, beating the Twins 5-4 on Thursday night.
The loss dropped the Twins a half-game behind Texas for the second AL wild-card spot.
Gomes (2-4) got an inning-ending double play with two on in the fifth during his 1 2-3 innings. After Colome worked two innings, Boxberger struck out all three batters he faced for his 31st save.
Joey Butler, recalled from Triple-A Durham to take the place of injured outfielder Desmond Jennings, had an RBI single off Tommy Milone (6-4) and later scored on a passed ball to give Tampa Bay a 5-4 lead in the sixth.
Eduardo Escobar homered for the Twins.
