Brooks Lee's late homer helps Twins defeat Rays, 5-4

Shortstop Brooks Lee's late solo home run was enough insurance for the Minnesota Twins to escape Tropicana Field with a 5-4 victory Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was Lee's third home run of the year, as he hit it off Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger in the top of the eighth inning.

It was a crucial victory for the Twins, as they are now a game ahead of the Kansas City Royals for second place in the American League Central and in the second spot for the AL Wild Card. The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Royals earlier on Monday and hold a 3.5-game lead over the Twins in the division.

Minnesota got the scoring started early against Rays starter and former Twin Zack Littell after a Trevor Larnach walk and José Miranda single. With two outs, Royce Lewis — who hit a clutch three-run home run Sunday afternoon in the Twins' 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays — smacked an RBI double down the left field line to give the Twins a 1-0 lead.

Related: Royce Lewis lifts Twins past Blue Jays with late home run

Tampa Bay got revenge in the bottom half of the first, rallying with two outs against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson. Junior Caminero walked and Josh Lowe singled to advance Caminero to third. After Lowe stole second, Dylan Carlson drove both in on a two-run single to right.

In the second inning with two on base and two out, Larnach hit a line-drive homer to right, putting the Twins back up 4-2.

The Star Tribune 's Bobby Nightengale reports that the fan hit in the face by the home run was gifted a signed bat by Larnach.

The Rays added another run in the third as Caminero drove Brandon Lowe home off a double to make it 4-3.

Woods Richardson couldn't get out of the fourth inning, as he went 3.2 innings giving up six hits, three runs, two walks and struck out two. It's the second straight start the rookie has failed to reach five innings, as he hasn't done so since pitching in San Diego on Aug. 21.

Meanwhile, Littell went four innings, giving up seven hits, four runs, four walks and struck out two. After the fourth inning, it turned into a pitching duel between the two teams' bullpens. It wasn't until the eighth when Lee put the Twins up 5-3 with the solo shot.

The 23-year-old Lee was activated from the injured list on Sunday.

Related: Twins activate Brooks Lee, send Manuel Margot to IL

Lee's homer was crucial as in the bottom of the inning facing Twins reliever Cole Sands, Jonny DeLuca hit his fifth home of the season to make it 5-4.

Jhoan Duran notched his 21st save of the season for the Twins as he retired Tampa Bay's side in order in the ninth.

The Twins and Rays will do it again Tuesday night as they have three more games to play in the four-game series. Minnesota's David Festa (2-4, 4.89 ERA) will try to make it three-in-a-row for the Twins as southpaw Jeffrey Springs (1-2, 3.67 ERA) will try end the Rays' two-game skid. First pitch is scheduled for 5:50 p.m. CT.