Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Matt Joyce homered and drove in four, Jose Molina added three RBI, and the Rays routed the Twins, 12-6, on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.
Joyce hit a two-run homer in the first and doubled home a pair an inning later.
Desmond Jennings went 3-for-4, scored three times, and added an RBI double during the six-run second. Molina and Evan Longoria both added RBI singles during the inning, while B.J. Upton hit a two-run double in the sixth for Tampa Bay, which has won four straight games since Longoria returned from an extended absence due to injury.
Jeremy Hellickson (7-7) got the win, allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts over five innings.
Joe Mauer went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Twins, who had won five of seven before dropping their last two.
Cole De Vries (2-3) lasted just 1 1/3 innings in his 11th career start. The righty was charged with eight runs -- seven earned -- on seven hits in the loss.
The Sports Network