Brantley has 4 of Astros' 20 hits in 14-3 rout of Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Brantley had his second four-hit game of the series and drove in four runs, and the Houston Astros had a season-high 20 hits and routed Minnesota 14-3 Sunday to take two of three from the Twins.

Minnesota's Michael Pineda (3-4) left after four innings due to a reoccurrence of right forearm soreness that first bothered him June 1. In his second start since returning, he allowed three runs and six hits — raising his totals to 10 runs over 11 1/3 innings in his last three starts.

Kyle Tucker homered for the second straight game and had three hits for the Astros, who also swept the Twins in last year's wild-card playoff round. Yordan Álvarez and Chas McCormick homered.

Left-hander Framber Valdéz (3-0) won his third straight start, allowing two runs — one earned — and five hits in seven innings.

Houston went 7 for 21 with runners in scoring position and won its fourth straight series, completing a 6-3 trip that included games against Boston and Toronto.

Minnesota has lost four of its last six games. Ryan Jeffers and Nelson Cruz homered for the Twins.

Brantley had missed 12 games with right hamstring soreness and reached base in 15 of 23 plate appearances over five games since returning. He went 8 for 11 in the series with three doubles and two walks.

Alex Bregman's first inning sacrifice fly put Houston ahead to stay. Tucker homered for a 2-0 lead in the fourth, and Yuli Gurriel's sacrifice fly and Carlos Correa's RBI double made it 4-0 in the fifth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: C Jason Castro caught five innings on Friday during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land. He took Saturday off and Houston manager Dusty Baker said he will play again Sunday night. … C Martín Maldonado was out of Sunday’s lineup in order to give him two days off. Baker...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Brantley-has-4-of-Astros-20-hits-in-14-3-rout-of-16245110.php