MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins showcased a powerful offensive performance Friday night, overpowering the Los Angeles Angels in an emphatic victory. After a recent series against the Chicago White Sox, the Twins entered this matchup eager to maintain momentum against a struggling opponent.
Pablo López, making his first start since early April, took the mound for Minnesota amid growing anticipation. His return was timely, given the team’s erratic play in recent games. Although López faced challenges with his command and defensive support, he managed to hold the Angels at bay for five innings.
The Angels responded with veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks, known for his effective sinkers and curveballs. From the outset, both teams exchanged runs, with Carlos Correa driving in the Twins’ initial score via a sacrifice fly, while Jo Adell delivered an RBI single for Los Angeles.
The game quickly escalated when Minnesota’s Byron Buxton launched a towering solo home run that energized the home crowd. Following Buxton’s blast, Trevor Larnach contributed a timely double, bringing in another run and signaling the start of a dominant inning for the Twins.
What unfolded next was a defining moment for Minnesota’s lineup. After a series of walks and hits, the floodgates opened. A crucial decision from the Angels’ manager, Ron Washington, to keep Hendricks on the mound backfired. The Twins capitalized, scoring multiple runs in a single inning, capped off by Larnach’s powerful home run that pushed their tally to nine.
As the game progressed, López continued to pitch effectively, despite allowing a couple of runs. An RBI groundout by Mike Trout was a small blemish on López’s performance, who still tallied six strikeouts throughout his outing.
The match resembled a back-and-forth contest in its later innings, with the Twins consistently maintaining a substantial lead, and despite the Angels attempts to chip away, Minnesota retained control. Justin Topa sealed the game with a strikeout against Trout, closing out a convincing 9-3 victory.
In injury news, Luke Keaschall left the game early after being hit by a pitch, and updates on his condition will be awaited.
Looking ahead, the Twins will face the Angels again Saturday in the second game of their three-game series. Simeon Woods Richardson is set to take the mound for Minnesota against Yusei Kikuchi. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM.