After getting pounded 11-0 by the Astros on Tuesday night, the Twins responded with resounding victories Wednesday and Thursday to win three of four in the series and take six of seven games on the home stand.
Thursday’s 8-2 victory was keyed by a six-run third inning highlighted by RBI doubles from Jason Castro and Nelson Cruz, and a run-scoring triple by Byron Buxton. Castro actually got the scoring started with a solo homer – his third of the season – in the third inning to tie the game 1-1.
Castro was one of four Twins with two hits, joining Jorge Polanco, Marwin Gonzalez and Jonathan Schoop.
Jose Berrios pulled his weight by pitching seven innings and allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out five. More impressive was that he needed just 88 pitches to get 21 outs.
The victory puts the Twins at 19-10 overall, first place in the American League Central – three games ahead of second-place Cleveland – and first place in the entire AL.
Minnesota will take their AL-leading record to New York where they’ll try to erase decades of bad memories when they open a three-game series against the Yankees (17-13) Friday at 6:05 p.m.
