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. Anthony Rizzo Cubs Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Dennis Eckersley Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. https://www.cheapcubs.com/640t-ryne-sandberg-jersey-cubs.html . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Leon Durham Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Mark Grace Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Did that really just happen?Its a question Michigan fans -- and many Iowa fans, for that matter -- will be asking for quite some time after Saturday nights shocker at Kinnick Stadium. Clemson is wondering the same thing after finally falling off the tightrope against Pitt. Washington quarterback Jake Browning saw his Heisman hopes take a hit, wwhile Oklahoma quarterback?Baker Mayfield continued to make his case for consideration.ddddddddddddWeek 11 is in the books, and heres a look at the key takeaways -- whats real and what will soon be proven imaginary. ' ' '