Jason Kubel's two-out infield popup that caromed off the catwalk of Tropicana Field drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as the visiting Minnesota Twins salvaged a split of a four-game series with a wild 8-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

Jason Repko belted a solo home run, J.J. Hardy had three hits and an RBI and Kubel drove in two runs as Minnesota collected 15 hits in taking the final two games of the series.

Newly acquired closer Matt Capps (1-0) worked 1 1/3 innings for the victory. Joaquin Benoit (0-1) was the hard-luck loser.

The Twins appeared on their way to an easy win until Tampa Bay's Jason Bartlett delivered a pinch-hit grand slam to cap a six-run eighth inning that tied the game at 6-6.

Twins starter Kevin Slowey was working on a two-hitter through seven innings before tiring in the eighth. He was charged with four runs and four hits, striking out nine and walking one.

Minnesota jumped all over Rays starter Wade Davis for four runs on six hits in their first at-bat, including RBI doubles from Joe Mauer and Delmon Young.

Davis (9-10) failed in his bid to win his fifth straight start and become the fifth Rays pitcher to win 10 games this season. He lasted six innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits while striking out two and walking one.

B.J. Upton had a pair of hits, including a solo homer, for the Rays, who dropped a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.