Donaldson's RBI single in 11th lifts Twins over Astros 5-4

HOUSTON (AP) — Mitch Garver homered early and Josh Donaldson had an RBI single in the 11th inning in the Minnesota Twins' 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Donaldson laced a ball to right field off Rafael Montero (5-4) with no outs in the 11th to score the runner who started the inning on second base.

It’s the second victory for the Twins in this four-game series and is the fifth loss in six games for the Astros.

“Our players were magnificent,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We’re playing against one of the best teams in baseball, they’re a well-oiled machine. We came in here and pitched and made plays and went out there and beat them for a couple of nights.

“I’m proud of the way we played. It’s fun playing baseball like that.”

There were two outs in the bottom of the inning when Jason Castro reached on a fielding error by Garver that left a runner at third. But Juan Minaya (2-0) retired Jose Altuve on a bunt to secure the victory.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment so I have to take advantage," Minaya said. “It’s good I get to pitch in games like this. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing."

Andrelton Simmons singled to start the 10th and send Rob Refsnyder, who started the inning on second, to third base. The Twins took a 4-3 lead when Max Kepler hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

Altuve opened Houston’s 10th on second and took third on a groundout by Michael Brantley. The Astros tied it back up when Yordan Alvarez hit an RBI single to left center off Danny Coulombe.

There were two outs in the inning when Coulombe walked Kyle Tucker and was replaced by Minaya, who struck out Aledmys Díaz to sent it to the 11th.

Rookies Taylor Jones and Chas McCormick put the Astros up early after Jones hit...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Donaldson-s-RBI-single-in-11th-lifts-Twins-over-16371178.php