Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota Twins rode a trio of home runs to a 5-4 win over the Houston Astros on Monday night, taking the opener of their three-game series.
Royce Lewis and Victor Caratini went back to back with solo shots in the top of the fourth to put Minnesota on the board. Josh Bell added a two-run homer in the sixth, and the Twins pushed their lead to 5-1 on a Kody Clemens run-scoring groundout in the seventh.
Starter Zebby Matthews carried the Twins, working seven strong innings and allowing just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts to earn the win. Peter Lambert took the loss for Houston after surrendering all three Minnesota home runs.
The Astros made it interesting late. Cam Smith homered twice and Taylor Trammell launched a two-run shot, with Houston pushing three runs across in the bottom of the ninth before Yoendrys Gómez slammed the door for the save.
The win is the second straight for Minnesota, which out-hit Houston 8-6 and played clean defense without an error. The clubs continue the three-game set tonight, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.
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