Twins can’t complete sweep, Buxton named All Star

(Minneapolis, MN/Minnesota News Network) — The Tampa Bay Rays salvaged the final game of their series against the Minnesota Twins with a 7-5, ten-inning victory in Minneapolis yesterday. Yandy Diaz hit a go-ahead double as the Rays scored three runs in the top of the tenth after giving up a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth. Taylor Walls went deep in the victory, while Pete Fairbanks earned his fourth win in relief. Tampa Bay snapped a two-game losing streak. Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader both homered in the losing effort, while reliever Justin Topa was charged with the loss out of the pen. Minnesota is in second place in the AL Central at 43-47. The Twins are off tonight and will welcome the Chicago Cubs to Target Field tomorrow night to start a three-game interleague series.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is headed back to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The Twins centerfielder was named as a reserve for the American League team yesterday. The selection is the second of Buxton’s career, and it allows him to play in his home state of Georgia, as the game will be a week from Tuesday in Atlanta. The 31-year-old is hitting .270 with 20 home runs, 53 R-B-I, and 16 stolen bases this season. Left off the roster were starting pitcher Joe Ryan and reliever Jhoan Duran, both of whom Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli thought deserved spots on the team.