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Self-belief and bowling changes helped overcome lean patch: Deepti Sharma India all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s breakout show against South Africa in the fourth T20I has provided a timely boost ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with the seasoned campaigner saying self-belief and tweaks to her bowling helped her snap a prolonged lean patch and return to form at the right time.Deepti had endured a prolonged lean run with both bat and ball since the T20I series in Australia in February, managing just one double-digit score in nine matches across formats before her unbeaten 36 and match-winning five-for in India’s 14-run win over South Africa on Saturday — a timely return to form that eased selection concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup in England and Wales in June.ALSO READ | Match report: Maiden T20I fifer for Deepti Sharma as India manages 14-run win over South AfricaEven though the host had already sealed the series 3-1 with one game to spare, Deepti, a vital cog in India’s maiden ODI World Cup-winning campaign, said unwavering self-belief through a prolonged slump helped her fight her way out of the hole.“First is, I always keep believing in myself and second is line and length, which line I have to bowl. And basically today, I was more focused on my offspin ball other than the little faster one,” said the spin-bowling all-rounder after her sterling show on Saturday.She said that approach gave her confidence, while adding the dew made it tricky for bowlers to judge their pace, but discussions within the bowling group helped them make the right adjustments.“Yeah, because it was a little dewish over here. So, we just had a conversation with the bowlers as well. Just bowl in the right areas and that will give you results,” added Deepti, who had gone wicketless in the previous three T20Is here and managed just two runs, a lean run that had also contributed to India’s heavy defeats.On the batting front, Deepti said she and Richa Ghosh (34 not out) had decided to preserve their wickets and bat deep, a plan that helped India post a competitive 185 for five through an unbroken 65-run stand.Deepti then capped the effort with a stellar bowling spell as India restricted the Proteas to 171 for nine in the chase.“I think Richa batted well. She finished well. And we were just talking that we have to play till the 20th over and make sure we will have a good partnership. And then we finished well. So, we’re calculating each and every over and that’s how we played there,” added the 28-year-old Deepti.She added that despite the series defeat, India would carry plenty of learnings into the T20 World Cup, along with renewed self-belief drawn from the way the team responded.“I think a lot of positive from this series. And especially today’s game gave us a lot of confidence going forward and future games as well. Whenever we play, we play as a team, as a bowling unit or as a batting unit. Same belief we have to keep going forward as well,” she said.“I think, as a bowling unit and as a batting unit, both played really well (on Saturday).So, we will see then how we will do it (in the final game) and definitely will finish well as well,” concluded Deepti.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #Selfbelief #bowling #helped #overcome #lean #patch #Deepti #Sharma

Self-belief and bowling changes helped overcome lean patch: Deepti Sharma

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s breakout show against South Africa in the fourth T20I has provided a timely boost ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with the seasoned campaigner saying self-belief and tweaks to her bowling helped her snap a prolonged lean patch and return to form at the right time.

Deepti had endured a prolonged lean run with both bat and ball since the T20I series in Australia in February, managing just one double-digit score in nine matches across formats before her unbeaten 36 and match-winning five-for in India’s 14-run win over South Africa on Saturday — a timely return to form that eased selection concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup in England and Wales in June.

ALSO READ | Match report: Maiden T20I fifer for Deepti Sharma as India manages 14-run win over South Africa

Even though the host had already sealed the series 3-1 with one game to spare, Deepti, a vital cog in India’s maiden ODI World Cup-winning campaign, said unwavering self-belief through a prolonged slump helped her fight her way out of the hole.

“First is, I always keep believing in myself and second is line and length, which line I have to bowl. And basically today, I was more focused on my offspin ball other than the little faster one,” said the spin-bowling all-rounder after her sterling show on Saturday.

She said that approach gave her confidence, while adding the dew made it tricky for bowlers to judge their pace, but discussions within the bowling group helped them make the right adjustments.

“Yeah, because it was a little dewish over here. So, we just had a conversation with the bowlers as well. Just bowl in the right areas and that will give you results,” added Deepti, who had gone wicketless in the previous three T20Is here and managed just two runs, a lean run that had also contributed to India’s heavy defeats.

On the batting front, Deepti said she and Richa Ghosh (34 not out) had decided to preserve their wickets and bat deep, a plan that helped India post a competitive 185 for five through an unbroken 65-run stand.

Deepti then capped the effort with a stellar bowling spell as India restricted the Proteas to 171 for nine in the chase.

“I think Richa batted well. She finished well. And we were just talking that we have to play till the 20th over and make sure we will have a good partnership. And then we finished well. So, we’re calculating each and every over and that’s how we played there,” added the 28-year-old Deepti.

She added that despite the series defeat, India would carry plenty of learnings into the T20 World Cup, along with renewed self-belief drawn from the way the team responded.

“I think a lot of positive from this series. And especially today’s game gave us a lot of confidence going forward and future games as well. Whenever we play, we play as a team, as a bowling unit or as a batting unit. Same belief we have to keep going forward as well,” she said.

“I think, as a bowling unit and as a batting unit, both played really well (on Saturday).So, we will see then how we will do it (in the final game) and definitely will finish well as well,” concluded Deepti.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Selfbelief #bowling #helped #overcome #lean #patch #Deepti #Sharma

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India all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s breakout show against South Africa in the fourth T20I has provided a timely boost ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with the seasoned campaigner saying self-belief and tweaks to her bowling helped her snap a prolonged lean patch and return to form at the right time.

Deepti had endured a prolonged lean run with both bat and ball since the T20I series in Australia in February, managing just one double-digit score in nine matches across formats before her unbeaten 36 and match-winning five-for in India’s 14-run win over South Africa on Saturday — a timely return to form that eased selection concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup in England and Wales in June.

ALSO READ | Match report: Maiden T20I fifer for Deepti Sharma as India manages 14-run win over South Africa

Even though the host had already sealed the series 3-1 with one game to spare, Deepti, a vital cog in India’s maiden ODI World Cup-winning campaign, said unwavering self-belief through a prolonged slump helped her fight her way out of the hole.

“First is, I always keep believing in myself and second is line and length, which line I have to bowl. And basically today, I was more focused on my offspin ball other than the little faster one,” said the spin-bowling all-rounder after her sterling show on Saturday.

She said that approach gave her confidence, while adding the dew made it tricky for bowlers to judge their pace, but discussions within the bowling group helped them make the right adjustments.

“Yeah, because it was a little dewish over here. So, we just had a conversation with the bowlers as well. Just bowl in the right areas and that will give you results,” added Deepti, who had gone wicketless in the previous three T20Is here and managed just two runs, a lean run that had also contributed to India’s heavy defeats.

On the batting front, Deepti said she and Richa Ghosh (34 not out) had decided to preserve their wickets and bat deep, a plan that helped India post a competitive 185 for five through an unbroken 65-run stand.

Deepti then capped the effort with a stellar bowling spell as India restricted the Proteas to 171 for nine in the chase.

“I think Richa batted well. She finished well. And we were just talking that we have to play till the 20th over and make sure we will have a good partnership. And then we finished well. So, we’re calculating each and every over and that’s how we played there,” added the 28-year-old Deepti.

She added that despite the series defeat, India would carry plenty of learnings into the T20 World Cup, along with renewed self-belief drawn from the way the team responded.

“I think a lot of positive from this series. And especially today’s game gave us a lot of confidence going forward and future games as well. Whenever we play, we play as a team, as a bowling unit or as a batting unit. Same belief we have to keep going forward as well,” she said.

“I think, as a bowling unit and as a batting unit, both played really well (on Saturday).So, we will see then how we will do it (in the final game) and definitely will finish well as well,” concluded Deepti.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

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Deadspin | Aljamain Sterling calls for title shot after UFC Vegas 116 decision win Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images After nearly two full slow-paced rounds in the UFC Vegas 116 main event from the Meta APEX Saturday night, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found an opening with under a minute left in Round 2 against Youssef Zalal. But it was only the beginning of Sterling’s relentless pace. Several submission attempts, including a fourth-round rear-naked choke opportunity in the closing minutes from Sterling, led to a unanimous decision win across 25 minutes, 49-45, 49-45, 49-45. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) was comfortable in all areas against his former training partner, but his objective for the rest of his career is simple. “(Alexander) Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass,” Sterling said, calling for a featherweight title shot. Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was classy in defeat. “I’ve come back before and I’ll come back again,” Zalal said, crediting Sterling’s efforts. Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit more five-round experience, the Moroccan competitor will find himself fighting for a championship. The co-main event saw UFC women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama move a step closer to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little trouble with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to five. Dumont fell just short of a four-year unbeaten run, having won her previous six outings before taking her first loss since May 7, 2022. In the lightweight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight winning streak, earning a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has won three in a row, keeping the fight on the feet, taking Hernandez’s best punches while giving back his own at a much higher rate. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not lost since April 6, 2024. Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous decision against UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has won five of his last seven fights, while Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, had not lost since Sept. 20, 2017. At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win against Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) extended his winning streak to five, dating back to Feb. 24, 2024. On the other side, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights since his six-fight winning streak which spanned March of 2021 until last October. Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing right hand to send Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, finishing the fight by KO at 2:10 of Round 2 to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight main card with what became the only finish. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has won back-to-back fights and three of his last four. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, remains winless in the promotion. -Field Level Media #Deadspin #Aljamain #Sterling #calls #title #shot #UFC #Vegas #decision #winApr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After nearly two full slow-paced rounds in the UFC Vegas 116 main event from the Meta APEX Saturday night, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found an opening with under a minute left in Round 2 against Youssef Zalal. But it was only the beginning of Sterling’s relentless pace.

Several submission attempts, including a fourth-round rear-naked choke opportunity in the closing minutes from Sterling, led to a unanimous decision win across 25 minutes, 49-45, 49-45, 49-45. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) was comfortable in all areas against his former training partner, but his objective for the rest of his career is simple.

“(Alexander) Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass,” Sterling said, calling for a featherweight title shot.

Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was classy in defeat.

“I’ve come back before and I’ll come back again,” Zalal said, crediting Sterling’s efforts.

Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit more five-round experience, the Moroccan competitor will find himself fighting for a championship.


The co-main event saw UFC women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama move a step closer to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little trouble with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to five. Dumont fell just short of a four-year unbeaten run, having won her previous six outings before taking her first loss since May 7, 2022.

In the lightweight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight winning streak, earning a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has won three in a row, keeping the fight on the feet, taking Hernandez’s best punches while giving back his own at a much higher rate. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not lost since April 6, 2024.

Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous decision against UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has won five of his last seven fights, while Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, had not lost since Sept. 20, 2017.

At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win against Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) extended his winning streak to five, dating back to Feb. 24, 2024. On the other side, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights since his six-fight winning streak which spanned March of 2021 until last October.

Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing right hand to send Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, finishing the fight by KO at 2:10 of Round 2 to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight main card with what became the only finish. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has won back-to-back fights and three of his last four. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, remains winless in the promotion.

-Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Aljamain #Sterling #calls #title #shot #UFC #Vegas #decision #win">Deadspin | Aljamain Sterling calls for title shot after UFC Vegas 116 decision win Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images After nearly two full slow-paced rounds in the UFC Vegas 116 main event from the Meta APEX Saturday night, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling found an opening with under a minute left in Round 2 against Youssef Zalal. But it was only the beginning of Sterling’s relentless pace. Several submission attempts, including a fourth-round rear-naked choke opportunity in the closing minutes from Sterling, led to a unanimous decision win across 25 minutes, 49-45, 49-45, 49-45. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) was comfortable in all areas against his former training partner, but his objective for the rest of his career is simple. “(Alexander) Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass,” Sterling said, calling for a featherweight title shot. Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) was classy in defeat. “I’ve come back before and I’ll come back again,” Zalal said, crediting Sterling’s efforts. Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit more five-round experience, the Moroccan competitor will find himself fighting for a championship. The co-main event saw UFC women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama move a step closer to a title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little trouble with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to five. Dumont fell just short of a four-year unbeaten run, having won her previous six outings before taking her first loss since May 7, 2022. In the lightweight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight winning streak, earning a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has won three in a row, keeping the fight on the feet, taking Hernandez’s best punches while giving back his own at a much higher rate. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not lost since April 6, 2024. Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous decision against UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has won five of his last seven fights, while Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, had not lost since Sept. 20, 2017. At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win against Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) extended his winning streak to five, dating back to Feb. 24, 2024. On the other side, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights since his six-fight winning streak which spanned March of 2021 until last October. Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing right hand to send Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, finishing the fight by KO at 2:10 of Round 2 to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight main card with what became the only finish. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has won back-to-back fights and three of his last four. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, remains winless in the promotion. -Field Level Media #Deadspin #Aljamain #Sterling #calls #title #shot #UFC #Vegas #decision #win

Venugopal Rao, Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, lamented his team’s poor catching and bowling in the first six overs after a demoralising six-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Despite posting its highest-ever total of 264 for two, courtesy K.L. Rahul’s career-best unbeaten effort of 152, DC contrived to go down with seven balls to spare.

Among the flaws laid bare, the fielding lapses were particularly galling. Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer, who form the fulcrum of PBKS’ power-packed batting line-up, were all offered reprieves that they gleefully capitalised on.

“Fielding let us down. We dropped almost six catches today. When you are dropping catches at a crucial time, especially of players like Prabhsimran, Priyansh and Shreyas, we won’t win these kind of matches,” Venugopal told the media on Saturday.

Another aspect where the host faltered was its bowling in the PowerPlay. The DC attack allowed Kings to waltz to 116 for none in six overs, with Priyansh and Prabhsimran depositing the ball into the stands as nonchalantly as they would in a range-hitting training session. Venugopal highlighted Lungi Ngidi’s enforced absence due to an injury in the third over of the chase as a decisive factor.

“There were lots of good bits. If you look back, (not having) four overs of Ngidi and (spilling) six catches made a big difference. We all know what Ngidi can do with his experience. We missed that. Where we can improve is PowerPlay bowling and catching,” the former India batter assessed.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#VIDEO #Catching #bowling #PowerPlay #improvement #Director #Cricket #Venugopal">VIDEO | Catching, bowling in PowerPlay need improvement: DC Director of Cricket Venugopal Venugopal Rao, Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, lamented his team’s poor catching and bowling in the first six overs after a demoralising six-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Despite posting its highest-ever total of 264 for two, courtesy K.L. Rahul’s career-best unbeaten effort of 152, DC contrived to go down with seven balls to spare.Among the flaws laid bare, the fielding lapses were particularly galling. Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer, who form the fulcrum of PBKS’ power-packed batting line-up, were all offered reprieves that they gleefully capitalised on.“Fielding let us down. We dropped almost six catches today. When you are dropping catches at a crucial time, especially of players like Prabhsimran, Priyansh and Shreyas, we won’t win these kind of matches,” Venugopal told the media on Saturday.Another aspect where the host faltered was its bowling in the PowerPlay. The DC attack allowed Kings to waltz to 116 for none in six overs, with Priyansh and Prabhsimran depositing the ball into the stands as nonchalantly as they would in a range-hitting training session. Venugopal highlighted Lungi Ngidi’s enforced absence due to an injury in the third over of the chase as a decisive factor.“There were lots of good bits. If you look back, (not having) four overs of Ngidi and (spilling) six catches made a big difference. We all know what Ngidi can do with his experience. We missed that. Where we can improve is PowerPlay bowling and catching,” the former India batter assessed.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #VIDEO #Catching #bowling #PowerPlay #improvement #Director #Cricket #Venugopal

Deadspin | Rays send Twins to 8th loss in 9 games Apr 25, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Richie Palacios (1) fields a line drive in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Jake Fraley hit a two-run homer and Ben Williamson went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs to power the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-1 victory over the slumping Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla. Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single and Yandy Diaz scored two runs for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak to three games. Shane McClanahan (2-2) allowed three hits over five shutout innings. He walked two, struck out seven and left after throwing 86 pitches, 60 for strikes. Byron Buxton had two hits for Minnesota, which took its fourth straight loss and eighth in the past nine games. Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings. Tampa Bay, which hit four home runs in Friday’s series-opening 6-2 victory, took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning Saturday on Fraley’s second homer of the season, a 401-foot drive to right-center, knocking in Diaz, who had been hit by a pitch. The Rays extended the lead to 5-0 in the seventh. Pinch hitter Jonny DeLuca led off with a double into the left-field corner against left-hander Taylor Rogers and scored when Williamson sliced a triple into the gap in left-center. Cedric Mullins then worked a walk — chasing Rogers — and stole second. Nick Fortes lined a single to left off right-hander Eric Orze to drive in Williamson. Richie Palacios followed with a sacrifice fly to knock in Mullins. Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the eighth when Diaz singled and scored on Williamson’s double to the wall in left-center. Minnesota broke up the shutout in the ninth when Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch by right-hander Trevor Martin, went to second on a groundout by Matt Wallner and scored on a two-out single by Royce Lewis. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rays #send #Twins #8th #loss #gamesApr 25, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Richie Palacios (1) fields a line drive in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Jake Fraley hit a two-run homer and Ben Williamson went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs to power the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-1 victory over the slumping Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single and Yandy Diaz scored two runs for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak to three games.

Shane McClanahan (2-2) allowed three hits over five shutout innings. He walked two, struck out seven and left after throwing 86 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Byron Buxton had two hits for Minnesota, which took its fourth straight loss and eighth in the past nine games. Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings.


Tampa Bay, which hit four home runs in Friday’s series-opening 6-2 victory, took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning Saturday on Fraley’s second homer of the season, a 401-foot drive to right-center, knocking in Diaz, who had been hit by a pitch.

The Rays extended the lead to 5-0 in the seventh. Pinch hitter Jonny DeLuca led off with a double into the left-field corner against left-hander Taylor Rogers and scored when Williamson sliced a triple into the gap in left-center. Cedric Mullins then worked a walk — chasing Rogers — and stole second. Nick Fortes lined a single to left off right-hander Eric Orze to drive in Williamson. Richie Palacios followed with a sacrifice fly to knock in Mullins.

Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the eighth when Diaz singled and scored on Williamson’s double to the wall in left-center.

Minnesota broke up the shutout in the ninth when Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch by right-hander Trevor Martin, went to second on a groundout by Matt Wallner and scored on a two-out single by Royce Lewis.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rays #send #Twins #8th #loss #games">Deadspin | Rays send Twins to 8th loss in 9 games Apr 25, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Richie Palacios (1) fields a line drive in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Jake Fraley hit a two-run homer and Ben Williamson went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs to power the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-1 victory over the slumping Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla. Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single and Yandy Diaz scored two runs for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak to three games. Shane McClanahan (2-2) allowed three hits over five shutout innings. He walked two, struck out seven and left after throwing 86 pitches, 60 for strikes. Byron Buxton had two hits for Minnesota, which took its fourth straight loss and eighth in the past nine games. Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings. Tampa Bay, which hit four home runs in Friday’s series-opening 6-2 victory, took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning Saturday on Fraley’s second homer of the season, a 401-foot drive to right-center, knocking in Diaz, who had been hit by a pitch. The Rays extended the lead to 5-0 in the seventh. Pinch hitter Jonny DeLuca led off with a double into the left-field corner against left-hander Taylor Rogers and scored when Williamson sliced a triple into the gap in left-center. Cedric Mullins then worked a walk — chasing Rogers — and stole second. Nick Fortes lined a single to left off right-hander Eric Orze to drive in Williamson. Richie Palacios followed with a sacrifice fly to knock in Mullins. Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the eighth when Diaz singled and scored on Williamson’s double to the wall in left-center. Minnesota broke up the shutout in the ninth when Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch by right-hander Trevor Martin, went to second on a groundout by Matt Wallner and scored on a two-out single by Royce Lewis. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rays #send #Twins #8th #loss #games

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