Mayfield's 3-run homer off Maeda leads Angels past Twins 3-2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jack Mayfield hit a three-run homer and Andrew Heaney finished seven innings for his longest start of the season, leading the Los Angeles Angels past Minnesota 3-2 on Thursday night after the Twins traded away All-Star slugger Nelson Cruz.

Heaney (6-7) gave up just four hits, two walks and two runs with seven strikeouts, the left-hander's most effective appearance in six weeks. Heaney fell behind 2-0 in the fourth on an RBI double by Willians Astudillo and a run-scoring groundout from Gilberto Celestino, but Mayfield picked him up with his big hit in the following inning.

The Twins didn't muster much more offense than that, with Cruz — their clubhouse leader and best hitter — now conspicuously missing from the lineup after a deal that sent the 41-year-old designated hitter to Tampa Bay. First baseman Miguel Sanó paid tribute by wearing his friend's game pants.

Twins starter Kenta Maeda (4-4) managed just fine against his most famous fellow countryman, with two strikeouts and no hits allowed for the Japanese hitting-pitching sensation Shohei Ohtani.

The problem for Maeda, who had given up only seven hits and three runs with 25 strikeouts in 16 innings over his previous three starts, was at the bottom of the order. In the fifth, José Iglesias hit his second double of the game, and Adam Eaton followed with a single.

Then Mayfield, a career .170 hitter filling in at third base with Anthony Rendon on the mend, drove a 3-2 slider into the left field seats for a 3-2 lead.

Raisel Iglesias picked up his 20th save with a perfect ninth inning.

NO-TANI

Ohtani went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. He won't be on the mound in Minnesota in this series, manager Joe Maddon said. The Angels want to give Ohtani an extra day of rest, so his next start will come on...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mayfield-s-3-run-homer-off-Maeda-leads-Angels-16334182.php