Caminero and Aranda each homer twice as the Rays beat the Twins 6-2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda each hit two home runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 6-2 on Friday night to take the first game of the series.

Caminero hit his seventh of the year, a solo shot to center field in the second inning. He added a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 6-1.

Aranda's home runs came in the fourth and sixth innings. Chandler Simpson and Nick Fortes both scored runs.

Brooks Lee hit a home run for the Twins in the fifth.

Drew Rasmussen (2-0) threw 98 pitches and allowed one earned run over five innings. He finished with six strikeouts and a walk. Reliever Trevor Martin gave up a home run to Royce Lewis in the ninth, then hits to the next two batters before being pulled for Bryan Baker. Baker got the final three outs for his fifth save.

Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley (3-1) took the mound in his first start against his former team. The Rays traded Bradley at the deadline last season. He pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed six earned runs with seven hits, three walks and three strikeouts. Coming into the game, he had not given up a home run all season.

The Rays and Twins resume their three-game series Saturday. Shane McClanahan (1-2, 5.00 ERA) will take the mound for Tampa Bay, opposite Bailey Ober (2-0, 4.15) for Minnesota.

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero celebrates after his solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, April 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson, left, makes the catch on a ball popped up by Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis (not shown) during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero celebrates after they beat the Minnesota Twins during a baseball game Friday, April 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Brady Williams (4) and Jonathan Aranda, right, celebrate after Aranda's home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, April 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)