BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (Interstat) — In a tense, low-scoring affair defined by dominant pitching, the Tampa Bay Rays broke through with three runs in the 10th inning to defeat the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at Target Field, securing a series victory.

The game, witnessed by 13,659 fans, was a classic pitcher’s duel for nine innings before Tampa Bay’s offense finally erupted against the Minnesota bullpen in extra innings. The victory improved the Rays’ record to 4-5, while the Twins fell to 3-6.

The most important part of the game was the top of the 10th inning, which began with the automatic runner, Ben Williamson, stationed at second base. Richie Palacios, who had entered the game as a pinch-hitter earlier, immediately seized the moment. On a 1-1 pitch from Twins reliever Justin Topa, Palacios launched a two-run home run to right field, his first of the season, to break the 1-1 deadlock. The Rays were not done, adding two more runs on a bases-loaded walk by Junior Caminero and a sacrifice fly, providing crucial insurance runs that the bullpen would not relinquish.

The late offensive outburst overshadowed a masterful performance by Rays starter Nick Martinez, the game’s top star. Martinez delivered six strong innings, allowing just one hit—a solo home run to Matt Wallner in the second inning—and one earned run while striking out four. It was his second consecutive quality start, following a six-inning, two-run effort in a win over Milwaukee on March 30.

His counterpart, Simeon Woods Richardson, was nearly as effective for Minnesota. Woods Richardson worked 6 2/3 innings, surrendering one run on five hits, which came on a solo homer by Caminero in the fourth inning that briefly tied the game.

Both bullpens held firm from there, sending the game to extras. After Palacios’ decisive blow, the Rays’ relief corps finished the job. Bryan Baker, who pitched a scoreless ninth, earned the win to move to 1-0. Kevin Kelly then worked a perfect 10th inning, striking out one, to record his second save of the season. Topa took the loss for Minnesota, falling to 0-1.

The game defied the pregame projections from Interstat, which had simulated a 3-1 Twins victory. While their ELO system gave Tampa Bay a slight 51.3% probability to win, the combined five total runs fell well under the posted over/under line of 8.

The series win for Tampa Bay comes after the teams split the first two games of the set, with the Rays winning 7-1 on Saturday and the Twins taking a 10-4 decision on Friday.

Tampa Bay will now head home to begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Minnesota remains at Target Field to open a four-game set with the Detroit Tigers, also on Monday.