Tristan Gray delivered his first career grand slam to secure a 10-4 victory for the Minnesota Twins over the Tampa Bay Rays in their home opener on Friday. The 30-year-old journeyman collected five RBIs in the game, including a sacrifice fly earlier. Gray now has eight RBIs in four games this season, nearing his previous major league career total.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins turned a dramatic seventh inning into a decisive lead against the Rays. Byron Buxton was hit on the right arm by a pitch and removed from the game. James Outman, pinch-running for Buxton, stole a base and scored the go-ahead run, with Minnesota adding two more runs on bases-loaded walks before Gray's grand slam sealed the outcome. Gray's blast marked his fifth RBI of the day and capped the rally that put the game out of reach at 10-4. Gray, a 30-year-old veteran with a journeyman career, also contributed a sacrifice fly earlier. In the Twins' third game of the season, he added a two-run double and an RBI single. Entering the year, Gray had just 10 RBIs in his major league career; he now has eight in four games. Gray likely owed his start to Brooks Lee's illness. The Twins' primary shortstop missed Thursday's game and Friday's home opener, opening the door for Gray at the position.
