ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Fresh off an ugly defensive game on Wednesday, and digesting tough injury news about Byron Buxton and Max Kepler, the Twins needed someone to who could send them to Kansas City for a pivotal series with some optimism.

And who better than Pablo López?

López has looked every bit the ace in the second half of the season and on Thursday helped lead the Twins to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in the series finale at Tropicana Field.

Kepler was placed on the 10-day injured list with patella tendinitis, and Buxton’s rehab from a hip injury took a step back when he felt pain during a rehab game Wednesday in St. Paul.

His 23⅓-scoreless innings streak was broken in the third inning when he allowed a two-run single to top prospect Junior Caminero, but the right-hander featured some of his best stuff as the Twins salvaged a split of the four-game series.

López threw three different pitches above 98 mph, including one at 98.6 — the hardest pitch of his career. And his sweeper had a 70 percent whiff rate, accounting for seven of the 18 swinging strikes he racked up in the game.

He gave up just one other run in the game, in the seventh inning when Yandy Díaz doubled to right. Matt Wallner tracked down the ball and his momentum took him tumbling over the outfield wall.

A lengthy replay review followed as the umpires figured out which base to place Díaz on. More than 10 minutes had passed, perhaps leading to the end of López’s day as Griffin Jax was summoned to finish off the seventh inning.

But it was yet again another promising start from López when his team needed him the most.

The Twins’ top starter pitched with the lead for much of the day as Edouard Julien stepped up offensively and hit his first major league home run since April 25 in the second inning, a three-run shot off starter Taj Bradley on a pitch left over the heart of the plate.

Wallner hit a solo homer an inning later for a 4-0 lead the Rays were unable to surmount.

With the split in the Sunshine State, the Twins now travel to Kansas City, to face the Royals, on whom they have a half game advantage in the American League Central race.  Both teams are currently positioned to win a Wild Card berth.