After both teams scored a run in the 10th, a Janigson Villalobos double put runners on second and third in the visitors’ half of the 11th. Two batters and one out later, an Anthony Prato fielder’s choice combined with first-baseman Jake Guenther’s throwing error enabled Will Holland and Villalobos to score and make it a 7-5 game.
Angelo Armenta supplied a sacrifice fly during the Rays’ final at-bats. From there, however, Denny Bentley induced a game-ending infield pop-out from Kevin Melendez.
Elizabethton (28-31), which stayed within two games of Bristol for the West Division’s second playoff berth, pounded out 15 of the contest’s 25 hits.
Seth Gray batted 3 for 5 while Twins teammates Matt Wallner (2 runs, 2 RBIs), Holland (2 runs), Villalobos, Prato and Max Smith supplied two hits apiece. Gray, Wallner and Holland all homered, with Gray also banging out a double.
Diego Infante (2 RBIs) and Yunior Martinez each went 3 for 5 with a double to pace Princeton (28-31), which got two hits from Daiwer Castellanos. Kevin Melendez and Abiezel Ramirez each belted a home run.
The fourth of five Elizabethton pitchers, Benjamin Dum (3-2) took care of the ninth and 10th innings to garner the win. Bentley picked up his second save.
Vincent Byrd (0-1) went the final 1 1/3 innings for the Rays.
The Twins will be at division-leading Johnson City on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
