Kyle Hendricks delivered his sharpest performance of the season. The Los Angeles Angels erupted for 12 two-out runs in a 12-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium.
Oddsmakers had the game lined close, with the Angels opening as -120 favorites and the Twins at +100 underdogs. The total was set at 8.5 runs, which went comfortably over thanks to Los Angeles’ late offensive surge.
Hendricks (7-9) was in command throughout his seven shutout innings. The veteran right-hander allowed only four hits, struck out six, and issued one walk while throwing 58 of his 80 pitches for strikes. It was his first scoreless start of at least seven innings since May 2022, giving the Angels a much-needed lift as they continue to play out the late-season schedule.
Los Angeles’ offense came alive with two outs in nearly every inning. The Angels collected 17 hits overall and went 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Mike Trout and Yoán Moncada each scored three runs, while Luis Rengifo delivered key early hits. Rengifo drove in two with a single in the first inning and added another RBI single in the fifth to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Angels broke the game open in the middle innings. In the sixth, Taylor Ward plated a run with a single before Chris Taylor followed with a three-run homer to center field. One inning later, Moncada added his 12th homer of the season, another three-run blast, after singles by Sebastian Rivero and Bryce Teodosio set the table.
All 12 of Los Angeles’ runs came with two outs, a rare feat that underscored their ability to deliver in pressure situations.
Twins starter Zabby Matthews (4-5) took the loss after giving up five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Minnesota’s offense managed little against Hendricks, and their only breakthrough came in the ninth inning when infielder Ryan Fitzgerald, who had taken the mound to pitch a scoreless eighth, homered for two runs to avoid the shutout.
The Angels played without slugger Jo Adell, who was scratched for a second straight game while dealing with vertigo. Adell has been one of the team’s top power hitters this season, ranking fourth in the American League with 35 home runs and seventh with 94 RBIs.
Trout, who contributed with three runs scored, continued a career-long power drought. The three-time MVP has now gone 119 plate appearances and 27 games without a home run, his longest streak since entering the majors. His previous high was 117 plate appearances without a homer in 2015.
The Twins’ best chance to rally came in the sixth inning, when they put two runners on with one out. But Hendricks quickly extinguished the threat by getting Trevor Larnach to pop out and Luke Keaschall to fly out, preserving the Angels’ five-run lead.
The series concludes Wednesday night. Minnesota will send right-hander Taj Bradley (6-7, 4.92 ERA) to the mound, while the Angels counter with right-hander José Soriano (10-10, 4.07 ERA).
