Mauer reaches base 7 times during MLB's longest game of season

Well, at least Joe Mauer benefited from a six-hour, 26-minute game in which the Minnesota Twins lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Mauer reached base a career-high seven times during the 15-inning affair (which was the longest MLB game this season by time, not innings), but it wasn't enough, as the Twins fell 8-6 to the Rays thanks to 15th-inning home runs from Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison.

The 34-year-old Mauer went 4-for-5 with three walks and two runs scored, and became the first Twins player to reach base seven times in a game since Rod Carew achieved the feat in 1972 during a 22-inning contest, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Mauer had actually reached base safely in seven consecutive appearances before he struck out swinging against Erasmo Ramirez in the 15th.

The 2009 American League MVP, Mauer bumped his average up to .283 with his fine day at the plate, while his OPS reached .771.