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Rays take aim at sixth straight win and sweep of Twins

Apr 17, 2011 - 2:29 PM (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays try to make it six straight wins this afternoon when they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field.

After opening the year with six consecutive losses Tampa has reeled off wins in six of its last eight games, including victories in the first three tests of this series. On Saturday the reigning American League East champions won in dramatic fashion, as Johnny Damon singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Rays to a 4-3 come from behind win.

Down 3-1, Matt Joyce stroked an RBI single in the eighth inning off Minnesota reliever Matt Capps. Joe Nathan (0-1) then gave up a leadoff home run to Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist in the ninth.

After B.J. Upton and Casey Kotchman drew back-to-back walks, Nathan retired John Jaso on a fly ball to left field. Jose Mijares took over on the mound and issued a two-out walk to Sam Fuld to load the bases for Damon, who lined a base hit to right field to give Tampa Bay the win.

"It's just been great team wins," Zobrist said. "We've been battling throughout the game, been having great pitching. We've had good bullpen work by guys and have got big hits at the right time."

Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann gave up three runs on eight hits and compiled six strikeouts in a seven-inning start. Damon's heroics made a winner out of Juan Cruz (1-0) after he pitched around a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth.

Jason Kubel clubbed a solo home run and Denard Span added an RBI triple for Minnesota, which has dropped four straight. Scott Baker allowed one run and four hits over seven innings.

"We did some good things today. We still missed opportunities to score runs, we still have got guys who aren't hitting now," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "When you score three runs it puts a lot of pressure to hold people."

Hoping to deliver the Rays their first four-game sweep of the Twins since August of 2001 will be rookie right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who picked up his first win of the year his last time out. Hellickson defeated the Boston Red Sox on Monday, holding them to a pair of runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Hellickson beat the Twins the only other time he faced them in his big league debut last season, allowing two runs and three hits in seven innings.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will rely on lefty Brian Duensing, who has yet to receive a decision, but has pitched to a 4.15 ERA. Duensing pitched well on Tuesday against Kansas City, as he surrendered three runs (two earned) and eight hits in six innings of his team's 4-3 win.

This will be his second-ever start against the Rays, but he has faced them three other times out of the bullpen and has allowed three runs in 7 2/3 innings of work against them.

The Rays took five of eight from the Twins last season.