Minnesota twins over tampa bay rays in rain-soaked opener, 10-4

In a game delayed by rain and played in temperatures ranging from 38 to 50 degrees, the Minnesota Twins launched a seven-run seventh inning to take down the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 10-4 in their home opener.

Tristan gray's grand slam seals the deal

Tristan Gray's one-out, 23-foot line drive off a 1-1 cutter from Yeondrys Gómez cleared the right field wall, capping the Twins' surge. The power-hitting infielder, who snatched the last available roster spot, homered three times in 30 games for the Rays last season.

Minnesota's Kevin Kelly started the fateful seventh by hitting center fielder Byron Buxton in the right forearm, forcing him out of the game. Buxton's X-rays showed no fracture. Kelly then walked consecutive batters with the bases loaded, paving the way for Gray's blast.

Josh Bell had a big day for the Twins, notching two hits and two RBIs, including the tiebreaking single in the seventh.

Starting pitchers have basketball potential

On a soggy afternoon with a downtown power outage, the game began an hour late. At 6-foot-8, Rays starter Joe Boyle would have towered over Twins pitcher Bailey Ober, who stands 6-foot-9, in a hypothetical pickup basketball game. Despite the pitchers' size, their duel on the mound was unimpressive, with Ober lasting four innings after surrendering two-out, two-run singles in the first and fourth frames.

Boyle fared slightly better, striking out nine over 5 1/3 innings, but a tailor-made double-play opportunity evaporated when Williamson misplayed a grounder in the fourth.

The Rays committed three errors, leading the majors with 10, six by third baseman Junior Caminero. Kody Funderburk earned the win with a single out in the seventh.