Oswaldo Arcia’s seventh inning home run gave the Twins the lead and Minnesota rode its resurgent bullpen to a 3-2 victory over the Houton Astros at Target Field Sunday.
Justin Morneau also homered for the Twins, who swept their three-game series with the Astros. After starter Mike Pelfrey pitched the first five innings, Twins relievers worked four shutout innings with as many strikeouts.
In the three games against Houston, the bullpen pitched 17 innings and allowed only one earned run. Sunday Glen Perkins picked up his 27th save of the season after Josh Roenicke, Caleb Thielbar, and Jared Burton helped shut down the Astros.
Yes, it’s the Astros, who have the worst record in the major leagues. But this year’s edition of the Twins will take a three game series sweep wherever they can get it. Their last one came in the middle of June against the White Sox (the second worst team in the majors).
The Twins managed only five hits against pitcher Brad Peacock, whom the Astros had just called up from their triple-A affiliate.
Shortstop Pedro Florimon missed his second straight game with a sore wrist. But some other injured Twins are getting closer to returning, the Pioneer Press reports. Outfielders Darin Mastroianni and Josh Willingham are set to begin minor league rehab stints with Rochester in the next couple of days. Wilkin Ramirez was in the outfield for double-A New Britain Sunday, as he works his way back from a concussion.
The Twins open a three game series in Kansas City Monday night.
