Ben Zobrist’s eight RBIs help Tampa Bay Rays rout Minnesota Twins 15-3 – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays’ utility player Ben Zobrist was impressive right through the game as he took eight RBI singles in the club’s 15-3 victory against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minnesota on Thursday, April 28.
Zobrist said of his performance, “Anytime you have that many RBIs it's because your teammates are on base for you every time. That was what it was about today. We hit well up and down the lineup. Everybody hit and hopefully we saved a few for the second
game.”
The Rays scored in all innings except the fifth and eighth and maintained a large lead. Zobrist was hitting the ball dominantly as he made a record by striking a solo homer and two doubles along with his RBIs. He had four hits with six at-bats. He had also
an exemplary season in 2009 in which he batted with an average of .297 including 91 RBIs and 27 homers.
The Rays’ Manager Joe Maddon was content with the way Zobrist batted in the game. He said, “That's hot. Ben's just not missing. He's getting his opportunities and the at-bats have been working and he's done a great job with it.”
Johnny Damon had a walk by stealing second base in the first inning and posted a run on B.J. Upton’s single. Damon made three runs on three hits and had three RBIs as well in extending his hitting streak to 15. The Rays led off with 5-0 in the fifth inning.
Upton guided the Rays with three hits and went 3-for-4. Tampa Bay also missed a chance of scoring more runs by the ground out of Sean Rodriguez at the plate.
Tampa Bay’s starter Jeremy Hellickson also played a crucial role in the clubs’ victory. He gave away just three runs on seven hits including three earned runs and three strike-outs in six inning pitches. Adam Russell also threw well at the end of the game
when he pitched the ninth inning without giving any run.
Speaking to reporters, Hellickson said, “I'll sit in there as long as they want to hit. I'll just put on my jacket and sit on the bench.”
The Twins’ starter Nick Blackburn was expensive with the ball as he allowed seven runs on eight hits with five earned runs in three inning pitches.
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