The Minnesota Twins secured a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday at Target Field, marking their fourth win in five games and solidifying back-to-back series wins for the first time since August of last year. The Twins’ offense came alive with a season-high-tying 13 hits in the matchup, capitalizing on an early surge and holding off the struggling Angels.
Ty France led the offensive effort with a double, a single, and an RBI. Carlos Correa contributed with a pair of RBI singles, bringing his weekend series total to five hits in two games. Rookie Brock Lee also chipped in, collecting a single, a double, and driving in a run as the Twins effectively spread the scoring throughout the lineup.
Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2) earned the win for Minnesota. The right-hander tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk. Four Twins relievers combined to allow just one hit over the remaining 3 2/3 innings, silencing the Angels’ bats in the late frames.
The Angels’ only run came off the bat of shortstop Zach Neto, who hit a solo home run and finished the day with three hits. Neto also recorded a career-high three stolen bases, providing one of the few bright spots for an Angels club that has now lost four of its last five games.
Los Angeles suffered a setback when first baseman Nolan Schanuel fouled a pitch off his right knee in the fourth inning. Schanuel exited the game with a visible limp and was replaced by a pinch-hitter. The club has not yet provided an update on the severity of the injury.
Yusei Kikuchi (0-4) was charged with the loss after a difficult outing in which he surrendered four runs on nine hits and four walks across just two-plus innings. It marked his fifth consecutive loss and the first time this season that he failed to record an out in the third inning. Kikuchi’s ERA rose to 4.89 after the outing.
Minnesota struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning on six singles. Correa, France, and Jonah Bride each drove in a run during the opening frame. Correa added another RBI single in the second, and France later doubled in the sixth and came around to score on a double by Lee, extending the Twins’ lead to 5-1.
The Angels’ bullpen received a positive contribution from José Fermin. The 23-year-old right-hander made his major league debut with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two and walking one in a hitless frame.
The game’s closing betting odds listed the Twins as slight favorites at -120 on the moneyline, while the Angels were priced at +110. The over/under total was set at 8.5 runs, with the under cashing as the teams combined for six runs.
The series concludes on Sunday, with José Soriano (2-3, 4.34 ERA) scheduled to start for Los Angeles and Joe Ryan (1-2, 4.00 ERA) taking the mound for Minnesota.
