Rays drop sixth straight to Twins

07/19/2006
MINNEAPOLIS -- A different lineup produced the same result for the Devil Rays on Wednesday night.
The Rays tallied just four hits, even though manager Joe Maddon tried to provide his team a fresh outlook when he fiddled with the front end of the lineup, and couldn't find enough production despite a pair of home runs.
A four-run fifth inning was too much for the Rays to overcome as they lost to Minnesota, 7-2, at the Metrodome. It was the club's sixth straight loss -- the longest losing streak of the season and worst second-half start in franchise history.
The Rays, who are a season-high 16 games under .500, have dropped nine of 10 game and 11 straight to the Twins since 2004.
"Before the break we looked wonderful, and now we don't look so wonderful," Maddon said. "We have to get better than that."
Minnesota starter Brad Radke (8-7) tossed seven innings and allowed just four hits, including a pair of solo home runs. After struggling in the first couple of months this season, Radke hasn't lost since June 3.
The Rays' four hits tied their season low, done four times previously, including Tuesday night against Francisco Liriano.
"Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances to your demise, and we'll have to just keep battling until we get through it," said Maddon, noting the team's tough-luck run of facing strong pitching.
The new lineup couldn't beat Radke, but it did end a couple of cold streaks for the Rays.
Designated hitter Jonny Gomes, who hit in the second spot for the first time this season, homered in the sixth inning to snap an 0-for-21 streak. The blast was Gomes' 19th home run of the season and his first hit since the All-Star break.
Third baseman Ty Wigginton, who had missed the last four games with a strained back, collected two of Tampa Bay's four hits. He ended an 0-for-16 streak with a single in the fifth.
"It was definitely nice to get back out there," said Wigginton, who added that his back felt fine, even after making a diving stop at third.
Rays starter Jae Seo (0-4) lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up 11 hits and seven runs. The Twins took the lead with a four-run fifth inning that began with a leadoff homer by Rondell White, who hit another homer two innings earlier to tie the game.
Down, 2-1, with one out and runners on the corners, Minnesota's Nick Punto hit a 1-2 pitch down the right-field line for a triple. He scored on a sacrifice fly two batters later.
"It came down to the at-bat with Punto," Maddon said. "I can't say it was an awful pitch. He gets a breaking ball and put it right down the line. [The Twins] work good at-bats."
Minnesota tacked on two more runs in the sixth with three consecutive two-out hits -- the last two off reliever Shawn Camp, who replaced Seo after Jason Bartlett ripped an RBI triple.
Right fielder Greg Norton homered in the second inning, giving the Rays an early 1-0 lead. The ball just cleared the wall in left, reaching the first row of seats. Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli -- both moved down in the order to third and fourth, respectively -- combined to hit 0-for-8.
The Rays look to prevent a four-game sweep Thursday against Johan Santana and try to win one game on the road trip before returning home for series against Baltimore and Anaheim.
"It's real frustrating," Gomes said. "It's not like no one doesn't want to spark the first [win], it's not like no one's trying. We just have to go out and get them and not sit back and watch."

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/