Rays Return From Cuba to Beat Twins

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash worked overtime after a long trip home from Cuba, guiding the Rays past the Minnesota Twins 5-2 Wednesday.

Cash, his coaches and players were stuck for several hours overnight at the airport in Havana because their plane had mechanical trouble. They arrived back in Tampa around 5 a.m. after beating the Cuban national team Tuesday afternoon.

Cash got to Fort Myers about an hour before the first pitch. Cash and third base coach Charlie Montoyo were the only uniformed personnel who were at the game in Cuba and the exhibition vs. the Twins. The average uniform number for the Rays' starting lineup was 67.78.

Ricky Nolasco pitched six scoreless innings for Minnesota, giving up three hits and striking out seven. Closer Glen Perkins then took over and gave up three runs on two hits and a walk while getting two outs.

Left-hander Dana Eveland started for the Rays, going two innings, allowing one hit.