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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Joe Maddon says a solid stretch of play -- not a soft spot in the schedule -- has helped the Tampa Bay Rays get back into the AL East race. Chris Archer pitched six strong innings, while Matt Joyce and Kelly Johnson drove in two runs apiece to help the second-place Rays extend their winning streak to six games with a 4-1 victory over the sputtering Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. The Rays matched their longest winning streak of the year, climbed a season-best 11 games over .500, and improved to 8-1 during a stretch of 14 consecutive games against the struggling Twins, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros leading to the All-Star break. The Twins have lost nine of their last 10. "Were starting to play up to our capabilities," said Maddon, who shrugged off questions about Tampa Bays surge coming against teams with losing records. "We dont assume anything," the Rays manager said. "We arent looking at records. Were just playing." Archer (3-3) limited the Twins to an unearned run and three hits to outpitch fellow rookie Kyle Gibson (1-2), who was done in by one bad inning in his third career start for Minnesota. Joyce drove in two runs with a two-out, bases-loaded single that snapped a scoreless tie in the fourth, the outfielders first RBIs since June 15. Johnson followed with a two-run double for his first multi-RBI game since May 27 to give Archer all the support he would need. "The teams been playing really well the last couple of weeks and were starting to build a little confidence in each other," Joyce said. "Any big moment that comes up now, we have confidence in any guy in that position. ... I think thats how good teams win, and thats how they get on rolls like were on right now." The Rays starter yielded Joe Mauers first-inning double and singles by Trevor Plouffe and Chris Parmelee in the second. He retired 10 in a row before the Twins scored their only run without getting a hit, thanks to Brian Dozier being hit by a pitch, Archers two-base throwing error and Ryan Doumits sacrifice fly. Alex Torres, Jake McGee and Fernando Rodney each pitched a scoreless inning for the Rays, with Rodney getting the final three outs to finish a combined five-hitter and earn his 21st save. The Twins had two hits after the second inning -- singles by Mauer and Doumit leading off the ninth. Rodney struck out Justin Morneau, Plouffe and Oswaldo Arcia to end the game. "A tough night offensively for us," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Gibson, meanwhile, allowed four runs and four hits over six innings. He walked four and struck out three. It was the second straight loss for the 25-year-old right-hander, who beat Kansas City in his big league debut on June 29 before being roughed up five days later by the New York Yankees. Gibson limited the Rays to one baserunner through three innings, but ran into trouble after walking two batters to begin the fourth. James Loney drew a two-out walk to load the bases, and Joyce and Johnson followed with their big hits to dump the Twins into a 4-0 hole they couldnt escape with a sputtering offence. After going 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position while losing Mondays series opener 7-4, the Twins failed to take advantage a couple of early opportunities against Archer. They were 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position in the first two innings, then didnt have another batter reached base until Dozier was hit by a pitch leading off the sixth. Archers errant pickoff throw -- Tampa Bays first error in 10 games -- allowed Dozier to advance to third before Doumit delivered his sacrifice fly. "I thought Gibby threw the ball well all except one inning where he just lost the strike zone. I thought he settled in after that and went back out there for a couple more good innings. One bad inning un-done us," Gardenhire said. "Offensively early, we were banging some balls pretty hard. I thought we were hitting them on the screws at people, and their kid settled in there pretty decent. Did what he had to do, and got to the bullpen and they threw some really good arms at us there," Gardenhire added. "We all know Rodney, I think, is going to misfire a little bit, but hes got filthy stuff. We got him in a situation, but he made pitches when he had to." NOTES: Tampa Bay rookie OF Wil Myers, in a 5-for-31 slump, was out of the lineup for the first time since making his big league debut on June 18. With the Rays and Twins finishing up this series night game Wednesday followed by a Thursday matinee, Maddon said it was a logical day to give the young slugger a day off. ... Twins LHP Caleb Thielbar, whose grandmother died, will go on the bereavement list Thursday. He will rejoin the team this weekend and be eligible to pitch on Sunday against the New York Yankees. RHP Michael Tonkin will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to fill Thielbars spot on the roster. ... Minnesota OF Josh Willingham (left knee) has started doing light exercises. ... Twins OF Wilkin Ramirez (concussion-like symptoms) is still having headaches. He has missed the past 40 games. ... Despite losing its top two home runs hitters (B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena) from last season to free agency, the Rays are on a pace to hit 182 homers -- seven more than in 2012.Air Max 97 Fake For Sale . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Fake Air Max 97 Plus . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. 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Air Max 97/1 Sean Wotherspoon Fake .Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats.TORONTO -- Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins expects second baseman Devon Travis to return from a sore right knee and play in the AL Championship Series and says left-hander Francisco Liriano is improving after a concussion last week.Travis missed the final two games of Torontos AL Division Series sweep of Texas because of a bone bruise and might have been removed from the roster had the series gone longer.Atkins said Travis has been able to put weight on the knee while fielding grounders, hitting, and running since being scratched from Game 2.Every day is better, every hour is better, Atkins said Monday. Feeling better and better about him being a part of the ALCS, which is why we didnt replace him. We were optimistic that he would turn the corner and it seems like he is. Its not definite that hes going to be playable but we feel very good about it. Today was his best day.Lirianio was injured in the eighth inning of Game 2 when he struck in the back of the head by a Carlos Gomez line drive measured at 102 mph. Liriano exited the stadium before Sundays Game 3 in Toronto because he wasnt feeling well but was feelling better Monday, Atkins said.ddddddddddddHe had an awesome day, Atkins said. He came in and was able to do some physical activities with no symptoms, which is a very positive sign.Liriano is ineligible until Game 2 of the ALCS after being removed from Torontos Division Series roster.With time to rest and recuperate before the ALCS begins Friday at Cleveland, Atkins said the Blue Jays arent rushing to line up their rotation.Weve talked a little bit about several hypotheticals, Atkins said. Fortunately now we can control it more than most. I think what well do is take our time -- not too much to make sure were not disrupting routine -- but take our time to think through it extensively and make sure were putting our best foot forward for not only this series but moving beyond it.Right-hander Marcus Stroman, in line to pitch Game 4 of the ALDS, last started in the Oct. 4 wild card game victory over Baltimore.The sooner we decide the sooner we can set up more structure for them, Atkins said. ' ' '