Zach Neto belted a two-run homer, Mike Trout drove in two runs, and the Los Angeles Angels edged the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
Oddsmakers had the game nearly even, with the Angels opening as slight -115 favorites and the Twins listed at -105. The run total closed at 8.5, finishing just under as Los Angeles secured the one-run victory.
The deciding blow came in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the score tied at 3-3, Bryce Teodosio led off with a triple off the top of the center-field wall, narrowly missing a home run as the ball sailed just beyond the reach of James Outman. Trout followed with a sacrifice fly to deep right field, allowing Teodosio to score the go-ahead run.
Trout delivered earlier in the game with an RBI single in the third inning. That hit set up Neto, who launched his 26th home run of the season off Minnesota starter Taj Bradley, a two-run shot that put the Angels ahead 3-1.
Minnesota struck first in the top of the third inning when Outman doubled and later came around on a sacrifice fly. Outman continued to impact the game defensively, robbing the Angels of extra bases with leaping catches at the wall in the fifth and sixth innings. He also added a solo home run in the second and a double in the eighth.
The Twins battled back in the sixth inning when Byron Buxton connected on his 31st home run of the season, a two-run drive to left that tied the game 3-3. Buxton’s blast chased Angels reliever Adam Cimber and gave Minnesota momentum that ultimately faded after Los Angeles answered in the eighth.
Bradley (no decision) pitched effectively for Minnesota, working 6 1/3 innings while allowing three runs on four hits with five strikeouts. He departed with the game tied in the seventh, handing things over to the bullpen. Cole Sands (3-4) was charged with the loss after giving up Teodosio’s triple that set up Trout’s decisive sacrifice fly.
The Angels relied heavily on their bullpen, using five relievers after starter Mitch Farris lasted just three innings. Robert Stephenson (2-0) recorded a key out in the eighth and won. Kenley Jansen handled the ninth, striking out two batters in a clean inning to secure his 27th save of the season.
Minnesota left 11 runners on base and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, wasting multiple scoring opportunities. Despite Outman’s big night and Buxton’s homer, the Twins fell to 64-82, ensuring their first losing season since 2022.
The Angels improved to 67-79, though they remain outside playoff contention. Trout, who missed time earlier this month with a skin infection on his arm, has now driven in 78 runs on the season.
Both teams now turn their attention to the upcoming series. The Twins will have Thursday off before sending Pablo López (5-4, 2.84 ERA) to the mound Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Angels travel to Seattle, where José Soriano (10-10, 4.07 ERA) is scheduled to start Thursday against the Mariners in the opener of a four-game set.
