Longoria homers three times in loss

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Former Long Beach State star Evan Longoria hit three home runs for Tampa Bay, but Alexi Casilla went deep in Minnesota’s five-run ninth inning, helping the Twins rally for an 11-8 victory over the Rays on Thursday night.

Minnesota ended a four-game skid and pulled to within 1 1/2 games of the Central-leading Chicago White Sox.

Casilla’s two-run drive off Dan Wheeler (4-4) tied the score, 8-8.

Adam Everett’s pinch-hit RBI double put Minnesota ahead before Delmon Young had a run-scoring single and Matt Tolbert followed with a sacrifice fly.

Longoria joined Jonny Gomes as the only Rays to hit three home runs in a game in the club’s 11-season history. Gomes also did it as a rookie, hitting three against the Kansas City Royals on July 30, 2005.