The Twins came into Monday Night leading the American League in runs scored for the month of June. Unfortunately for the Astros, they kept the hot bats going, launching multiple homeruns in a 5-4 win before an announced crowd of 22,969.
Royce Lewis and Victor Caratini would go back-to-back with solo blasts in the 4th inning, providing the initial run support for Zebby Matthews. They would represent the first two hits of the night. Matthews would go 7 innings, striking out 7 with only 1 run allowed.
Peter Lambert, in his first career outing against Minnesota, would go 5 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs with three walks. He would strike out four on the night, two of which came in the first inning.
Cam Smith finally put Houston on the board with his blast in the 5th. That would be Cam’s fifth homer for the month of June, and his 10th for the season, cutting the deficit in half.
However, in the sixth, Josh Bell would get in on the long ball party, launching his 10th homer of the season, which brought home Brooks Lee, making it 4-1. Lee began the frame with a single. For Bell, he continues to feast on Astros pitching, it’s his 7th career homer against Houston. Isaac Paredes would have a chance in the bottom of that inning to cut into the lead with Alvarez and Altuve on base, but he grounded out.
In the seventh the Twins would add to their lead when Kody Clemens brought in Luke Keaschall who led off things with a walk off of Nate Pearson. Pearson made his 12th relief appearance for the year.
Despite being down 5-1, the Astros would not quit.
Taylor Trammell blasted a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th of Travis Adams, chasing him from the game.
Yoendrys Gomez then entered the game to get the final out for Minnesota against Cam Smith, but Cam blasted his 2nd HR of the game (11th of season), a solo shot to make it 5-4. However, that would be as close as they would get as Joey Loperfido would ground out meekly to end the rally and the game.
Odds & Ends:
Jeremy Pena was held out of Monday’s game with discomfort in his left leg.
After going hitless in Detroit, Yordan Alvarez continued his mini funk, reaching only on a walk.
Miguel Ullola would make his Astros debut. He’d provide some much-needed “juice” striking out a pair of batters in his first inning pitched. Royce Lewis and Ryan Kreidler would be on the receiving end. He’d add two more K’s in the 9th, for a total of 4 in his 2 innings.
With the defeat, Houston and Minnesota each have 45 losses.
On Tuesday Night, Houston will send Mike Burrows to the hill in search of his fourth win. He’ll be opposed by Joe Ryan. Ryan has registered 108 k’s this season.
