ST. PETERSBURG -- Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario said he was sitting on a slider. He guessed correctly, and it produced one of the biggest hits of his career.
Rosario collected a two-out, two-strike, game-tying grand slam off Rays reliever Sergio Romo. However, it eventually became a footnote in the Rays' 8-7 victory in 10 innings at Tropicana Field.
But Rosario's dramatic homer, struck when the Twins trailed 6-2, still loomed large in both clubhouses after the game.
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"He was out in front on the first two pitches [strikes],'' Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We always tell everybody to slow down in that situation. Those are the moments when you need to be the calmest. He finally stayed back and hit it over the fence. That was a great moment.''
"Sergio Romo has done this a long time,'' Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We have all the confidence in the world that he's going to get through that inning. It just didn't happen. Credit Rosario for going down and getting the pitch.''
Rosario said he knew Romo's best pitch was a slider. He expected it, and waited for the right moment.
"I kept waiting and waiting,'' Rosario said. "I stayed in the zone and got it. It's very disappointing not to win. It was a good moment, but I wish we could've won the game.''