such as Washingtons Markelle Fultz, who had 30 points, seven re

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Solid pitching, stellar defence and disciplined offence that produced just enough runs to win again was a successful combination for the Rays again. "Its just a formula for success in baseball when you do those different things," manager Joe Maddon said after the Tampa Bay Rays won their season-best seventh straight game on Wednesday night, beating the struggling Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Ben Zobrists RBI single with two outs in the 13th inning. "Thats pretty basic, good stuff that everybody attempts to achieve," Maddon added. "But thats why were winning as many games as we have." Zobrist lined a 1-2 pitch from Ryan Pressly (2-1) into the gap in right-centre field, ending a 4-hour, 47-minute game that featured 35 strikeouts -- 19 for Rays pitchers. Tampa Bay climbed to a season-best 12 games over .500. The second-place Rays also improved to 9-1 during a stretch of 14 consecutive games against the Twins, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros -- teams with the three worst records in the American League. The Twins have has lost 10 of 11, including four straight. They tied a franchise record by fanning 19 times for the first time since 1968. "A long night," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "A lot of pitches thrown by both teams. A lot of missed opportunities." Cesar Ramos (2-2) got two outs, escaping a jam with runners at first and third in the 13th to get the win. Yunel Escobar singled with one out in the 13th and took second with two outs on Presslys errant pickoff throw. After Luke Scott walked on a full count, Zobrist singled. "Ive had some timely hits, but its been up and down the lineup," Zobrist said. "You think about the hits Luke Scott had today and the hits hes had lately, and you cant say enough tonight about our bullpen, shutting it down with men in scoring position and getting a lot of big strikeouts." Pedro Florimon hit a two-run, third-inning homer and Clete Thomas had a RBI single in the fifth to give the Twins a 3-1 lead against Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson. Kelly Johnsons two-run homer off Minnesota starter Kevin Correia made it 3-all in the sixth. The game ended just before midnight, just over 12 hours before the teams wrap up a four-game series Thursday afternoon. "When you win a game like that, theres a residual energy. When you dont win a game like that, you have to go looking for that energy," Maddon said. "It doesnt mean you win the next day, but it definitely makes it easier to walk in the door." The Twins wasted opportunities to take the lead in the ninth and 11th. They failed to take advantage of a pair of singles to begin the ninth against closer Fernando Rodney, and let reliever Jamey Wright off the hook when Oswaldo Arcia grounded out to strand runners at second and third base in the 11th. Arcia also couldnt get the potential go-ahead run home in the 13th, striking out after Joe Mauer singled and moved to third on Ryan Doumits two-out single off Ramos. "He was just swinging out of the zone, going a little crazy there. A young kid trying to do too much," Gardenhire said of the 22-year-old Arcias struggles. "Trying to hit an eight-run homer. ... All we need is one guy in, and hes swinging like a mad man. ... Thats what happens with kids. Youve got to live with it." Tampa Bay nearly won it in the 10th. Wil Myers singled with two outs, and running on a 3-2 pitch would have scored easily from first base on Johnsons line drive that Twins centre fielder Aaron Hicks leaped to catch before crashing into the wall. Hellickson had won four consecutive starts, matching the longest streak of his career, before Wednesday night. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed three runs, six hits and struck out eight in six innings. Correia limited the Rays to three singles and Escobars second-inning sacrifice fly until James Loney singled to open the sixth. Johnson, in the lineup because of his history of success against the Minnesota starter, followed with his fifth home run in 25 career at-bats against Correia. NOTES: Evan Longoria went 1 for 4 with an infield single, two walks and a pair of strikeouts. The Tampa Bay star is 6 for 44 with no extra-base hits over his last 14 games -- the longest extra-base hit drought of his career. ... Johnson went 2 for 3 against Correia and is 9 for 25 lifetime against the right-hander. ... Florimons homer was his first since June 9 at Washington. ... Since being promoted from Triple-A Durham for the second time this season on June 1, Rays LHP Alex Torres leads all American League relievers whove worked a minimum of 15 innings with an 0.42 ERA. Hes allowed one earned run in last 21 2-3 innings, while limiting opposing hitters to an .085 batting average. ... Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb, out since being hit in the right ear by a line drive on June 15, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday. ... Minnesota 1B Justin Morneau singled in the ninth for his 1,276th career hit, tying Gary Gaetti for seventh on the Twins all-time list. Air Max 720 Womens Sale . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. Air Max 720 Release . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. http://www.airmax720wholesale.com/air-max-720-mens.html .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Air Max 270 Flyknit Sale . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Cheap Air Max 270 Black . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The John R. Wooden Award, presented to the nations best college basketball player, released its first watch list on Tuesday.The preseason list includes 50 names, but it should be noted that players not on the current list can be added as the season progresses and the best players are revealed.They range from those who arent household names, such as Davidsons Jack Gibbs and Valparaisos Alec Peters, to players who have been around a while, such as Kansas Frank Mason III and Virginias London Perrantes.A front-runner to consider this season may be Duke junior guard Grayson Allen, who was the leading vote-getter in the Associated Press preseason All-America team after averaging 21.6 points last season. Close behind Allen is California sophomore forward Ivan Rabb, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.6 rebounds last season.It should be noted that maintaining at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average is factored into the award. Thats what kept LSUs?Ben Simmons?off the final ballot last season.The Wooden Award will announce a midseason top 25 in January and a late-season top 20 in February before producing its final ballot in March. The winner will be announced in April.Here are a few breakdowns of the preseason list:* Judging by the class breakdown of the list, this season wont be the year of the senior. Last season the Wooden Award race was close between seniors Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) and Denzel Valentine (Michigan State)?and had 26 seniors on the preseason top 50. This year the number of seniors, while the most of aany class, dropped to 16.ddddddddddddThat includes defending national champion Villanovas contributions to the list with Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart.* Freshmen picked up the most spots this year, going from seven in 2015 to 12. A few have already made splashes, such as Washingtons Markelle Fultz, who had 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists in his debut.* The sophomore and junior classes contributed 11 players each.* Five players named to the preseason top 50 are making repeat appearances, having also been on it to begin last season: Dukes Allen; Indianas James Blackmon Jr.; Wisconsins Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig; and Marylands Melo Trimble.* Several players who have yet to take the court this season form the injured reserve section of the list: Dukes Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum and Oregons Dillon Brooks are still trying to become healthy enough to play.* Players from 10 schools comprise exactly half the list with Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Oregon and Wisconsin each represented by three players apiece. Last year, Kentucky and Indiana were the only schools with three players each.* The ACC leads all conferences with 12 players selected, and its eight different schools represented also were the most among all conferences. The Big Ten matched its selections from last year and had 10 players from seven different schools, which was second most among conferences in both categories. ' ' '