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. Wholesale Raiders Jerseys . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Authentic P. J. Hall Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. http://www.cheapraidersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-nick-nelson-jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Authentic Kolton Miller Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Authentic Maurice Hurst Jersey . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said.PHILADELPHIA -- In a need of a lift in the rotation, the Phillies are taking a chance on Carlos Zambrano. The three-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract with Philadelphia on Wednesday and will report this week to Clearwater, Fla., for extended spring training. Zambrano is known as much for his volatile outbursts and dugout confrontations with teammates as he is for his 132 wins over 12 seasons and a no-hitter. With Roy Halladay and John Lannan on the disabled list, the slumping Phillies turned to Zambrano, even though he hasnt pitched in the majors since last September with Miami. "No promises are made. Its just an opportunity to add some starting pitching," Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. Zambrano, 31, is 132-91 with a 3.66 ERA, including 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He was 16-17 with a 4.66 ERA the last two years. Zambrano has the right to terminate the deal if he is not added to the major league roster by July 1. Philadelphia was among the teams with representatives who watched Zambrano throw Monday in Miami. He pitched in winter ball and played for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. "Its low risk, hopefully, high reward," Proefrock said. Whenn healthy, Zambranos talent has rarely been an issue.dddddddddddd Its his temper. Hes feuded with teammates, management and umpires in a number of high-profiles blowups. Chicago placed Zambrano on the disqualified list with no pay and no part in team activities for 30 days in 2011. He then told team personnel he might retire. Zambrano was placed on the restricted list for six weeks and sent to anger management in 2010 after a verbal altercation with then-teammate Derrek Lee. In 2009, he was suspended following a tirade against an umpire in which he threw a baseball into the outfield and slammed his glove against the dugout fence. "He has a competitive temper," Proefrock said. "Hes not that way in social settings." With Halladay and Lannan out, the Phillies have turned to Tyler Cloyd and Jonathan Pettibone to fill the void. Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee have a combined seven wins this season. Proefrock said Zambrano was sincere in wanting to prove he keep his emotions in check -- and get batters out. "We got positive feedback from everyone who has interacted with him recently," Proefrock said. "Were just looking to add some depth and some experience." Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online ' ' '