Astros Rally Late, Walk Off Twins in Extras to Complete Series Sweep

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros completed a dramatic sweep of the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, rallying late to win 2-1 in extra innings at Minute Maid Park.

Victor Caratini tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, and Mauricio Dubón delivered the walk-off single in the 10th, driving in Jake Meyers from second base with two outs.

Astros starter Brandon Walter was dominant, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out nine over 6 2/3 innings. Houston’s bullpen — Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa, and Josh Hader (4-0) — combined to shut down the Twins over the final 3 1/3 innings.

The only run Walter surrendered came on a leadoff home run by Minnesota’s Brooks Lee in the third inning. Walter has now given up just three earned runs across 17 2/3 innings in three starts this season.

Minnesota held a 1-0 lead into the ninth, but Houston clawed back. Jeremy Peña drew a leadoff walk and stole second, later advancing to third on a single by Jose Altuve. Peña scored the tying run on Caratini’s deep fly to center off Twins closer Jhoan Duran.

In the 10th, Meyers started on second and came around to score on Dubón’s clutch single to left off Cole Sands (3-3), sealing Houston’s fifth straight win and their 16th victory in their last 22 games. The Astros now lead the AL West by five games over the second-place Seattle Mariners.

The win followed another walk-off on Saturday, when Cam Smith’s ninth-inning single lifted Houston to a 3-2 win.

Up Next:
Houston begins a four-game series Monday at home against the Oakland Athletics. Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 4.91 ERA) is slated to start for the Astros. The A’s have yet to name a starter.

The Twins have a day off before opening a three-game series in Cincinnati on Tuesday. David Festa (1-1, 4.76 ERA) will face the Reds’ Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.87 ERA).