Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Ben Zobrist drove in a team record eight runs as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 15-3 in the first game of a doubleheader today at Target Field in Minneapolis.
The teams will play again at 8:10 p.m.
Zobrist has 16 RBIs over his last four games, and an American League leading 23 — at the moment — for the season.
Zobrist knocked in one run with a single in the first, hit a three-run homer in the sixth, and added two-run doubles in the 7th and the 9th. He is 4-for-6 for the day. The four hits were a career-high for Zobrist.
"Anytime you have that many RBIs it's just cause your teammates are on base for you every time, so that's what it was about today,'' Zobrist said. "We hit well up and down the lineup. Everybody hit, and hopefully we saved a few for the second game.''
The last major-leaguer with eight RBIs in a game was Toronto's Adam Lind on Aug. 31, 2009 vs. Texas.
The Rays record was seven, by Carlos Pena on Sept. 5. 2007.
The last player before Zobrist with 16 RBIs over a 4-game span was Sammy Sosa in 2002, according to Elias. The last American League player was Albert Belle in 200. The Rays record for RBIs over four games was 12 by Evan Longoria in 2009.
Zobrist said the big week is the result of a few slight changes. "Definitely, I'm slowing myself down a little bit, im into my legs more so my timing seems to be on other pitches besides just fastballs,'' Zobrist said. "I'm feeling good, obviously seeing the ball big right now. And just trying to have quality at-bats, not give any at-bats away.''
B.J. Upton, Johnny Damon and Matt Joyce had three hits apiece, and Casey Kotchman added a solo homer as part of the Rays' 19-hit attack.
The Rays chased Twins starter Nick Blackburn with one out in the fourth, after scoring seven runs on eight hits and four walks.
Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson struck out three while allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk in 6-1/3 innings.