Aug 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Twins left fielder Trevor Larnach (9) hits a home run and celebrates with Minnesota Twins third base coach/outfield coach Tommy Watkins (40) during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Willi Castro finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, helping rally the visiting Minnesota Twins to a 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Minnesota starter David Festa went five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out six and walking none. The Twins’ bullpen threw four scoreless innings, helping guide Minnesota to its third straight win and fifth in six tries.
For Texas, starter Nathan Eovaldi (8-7) pitched seven-plus innings and allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits, striking out six without a walk. Catcher Carson Kelly went 2-for-4, driving in both runs for Texas, as the Rangers lost their third straight and their sixth in seven games.
After a scoreless first inning, Texas struck first in the bottom of the second. Wyatt Langford led off with a single and advanced to third on groundouts from Josh Jung and Jonah Heim. Kelly then singled to left against Festa, scoring Langford to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Trevor Larnach led off with his 12th homer of the year, a 403-foot shot that tied the score.
Festa retired Langford and Jung to begin the bottom of the fourth, but Heim doubled, and Kelly drove him in with another double, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead.
After 81 pitches, Festa was replaced by Ronny Henriquez (1-0), who threw a scoreless bottom of the sixth.
Eovaldi remained in the game for the top of the eighth, and Edouard Julien, Christian Vazquez and Austin Martin each singled to load the bases, chasing the Texas starter after 103 pitches.
With David Roberston pitching in relief, Castro singled to left, scoring Julien and Vazquez, while center fielder Leody Tavares’ throwing error allowed Martin to score, giving the Twins a 4-2 lead.
After Jorge Alcala pitched a scoreless eighth for the Twins, Minnesota threatened again in the top of the ninth. Texas reliever Walter Pennington allowed a one-out walk to Carlos Santana, followed by Max Kepler’s double. Jose Leclerc then replaced Pennington, but Kyle Farmer drove in Minnesota’s fifth run on a sacrifice fly, scoring Santana.
Cole Sands pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his fourth save of the year.
–Field Level Media
