Jose Miranda hit a three-run home run during a decisive six-run fourth inning, and the Minnesota Twins went on to defeat the Houston Astros 6-1 on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Matt Wallner doubled in a run and scored for Minnesota, which bounced back from a loss in the series opener and has won three of its last four. Christian Vazquez doubled, scored a run and drew a walk.
Jose Altuve went 3-for-5 with a home run to lead Houston at the plate. The Astros have dropped four of their last five.
Twins right-hander Cole Sands (1-0) earned the victory with a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. He was one of five pitchers who came on in relief of starter Bailey Ober, who allowed one run on three hits, walked two and struck out five in four innings.
Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (1-1) gave up five runs on three hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked three, struck out three and hit a batter.
Houston grabbed a quick lead when Altuve led off the game and turned on an 0-1 slider for his second home run of the season.
Byron Buxton started the Twins’ big fourth when he was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a single by Ty France.
The Twins had runners on first and third with two outs when Miranda belted a three-run homer to left. The blast marked Miranda’s first this season and increased the Twins’ lead to 4-1.
The two-out rally continued as Vazquez and Wallner hit back-to-back doubles. Carlos Correa hit a slow roller down the third base line in the next at-bat, and reliever Tayler Scott fired a wild throw past first base that allowed Wallner to score the sixth run of the inning.
Houston loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but could not chip into its deficit. Yordan Alvarez struck out looking with the bases loaded for the second out, and Christian Walker flew out to left field to end the threat.
–Field Level Media
