Twins 5 - Angels 3 (7/11/2026): Lewis Powers Twins with HR and 2 RBIs

On a scorching day at Target Field, the Minnesota Twins outlasted the Los Angeles Angels with a 5-3 victory. This win improved the Twins' record to 46-49, keeping them in third place within the AL Central. The Angels, meanwhile, continue to struggle, falling to 38-57 and remaining at the bottom of the AL West standings.

Twins Take Charge Early

The game started with the Angels held scoreless in the first two innings. In contrast, the Twins struck early, posting three runs in the second inning. This initial burst set the tone for Minnesota, giving them a crucial early lead.

Though the Angels responded with two runs in the third inning, the Twins' pitching staff managed to keep the damage to a minimum. The Twins' defense remained steadfast, preventing further advances from the Angels in subsequent innings.

Mid-Game Stalemate

Both teams settled into a defensive rhythm from the fourth through the sixth innings. The Angels' starting pitcher, Reid Johnson, held his ground, allowing three runs on three hits across his five-inning outing. Despite his efforts, Johnson's ERA remained elevated at 6.99.

The Twins' pitcher Joe Ryan countered effectively, providing six solid innings where he allowed six hits and two earned runs. Ryan's performance kept his ERA at an impressive 2.85, with a notable six strikeouts to his name.

Closing It Out

The seventh inning saw the Angels narrow the gap with one more run, bringing the score to 3-3. However, the Twins responded swiftly with two runs in their half, regaining the lead and setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

Tommy Nance, who pitched the seventh inning for the Twins, earned his first win of the season despite allowing two hits and one run. The Twins' bullpen maintained the lead with combined efforts from pitchers Woon Go and Yonny Gómez, who successfully closed out the game without allowing additional runs.

Rookie Mitch Farris took the loss for the Angels, giving up two runs on six hits over two innings. His ERA now stands at 3.52, despite a competent performance earlier in the game.

At the plate, Royce Lewis stood out for the Twins, delivering a powerful performance with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. His contributions were instrumental in securing the Twins' victory.

For the Angels, Mike Trout and Zach Neto each gathered two hits, but their efforts weren't enough to turn the tide. Jorge Soler contributed with a double and two RBIs, yet it wasn't enough to lift the team out of their slump.

Overall, the Twins recorded nine hits, while the Angels managed ten, a testament to the close contest between the two clubs. No errors were made by either team, highlighting a clean defensive showing.

With the win, the Twins look to build momentum as they continue their push in the AL Central. Meanwhile, the Angels will seek to rebound and improve their fortunes in the AL West.