MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Brantley had his second four-hit game of the series and drove in four runs, part of a 20-hit attack that helped the Houston Astros rout Minnesota 14-3 Sunday to take two of three from the Twins.
Minnesota’s Michael Pineda (3-4) left after four innings due to a recurrence of right forearm soreness that first bothered him June 1. In his second start since returning, he allowed three runs and six hits — raising his totals to 10 runs over 11 1/3 innings in his last three starts.
Kyle Tucker homered for the second straight game and had three hits for the Astros, who also swept the Twins in last year’s wild-card playoff round. Yordan Álvarez and Chas McCormick homered.
Left-hander Framber Valdéz (3-0) won his third straight start, allowing two runs — one earned — and five hits in seven innings.
Houston went 7 for 21 with runners in scoring position and won its fourth straight series, completing a 6-3 trip that included games against Boston and Toronto.
Minnesota has lost four of its last six games. Ryan Jeffers and Nelson Cruz homered for the Twins.
“We have to play better,” Jeffers said. “We still have a lot of games remaining and we’re going to have to prove to everyone, including ourselves, that we’re capable of sustaining the good play that we show at times.”
Brantley had missed 12 games with right hamstring soreness and reached base in 15 of 23 plate appearances over five games since returning. He went 8 for 11 in the series with three doubles and two walks.
NOT AGAIN
Pineda could be headed to the injured list. Pineda has told manager Rocco Baldelli he can pitch with the soreness, but Baldelli believes rest is needed to recover.
“I think rest is something and the main thing that he needs right now,” Baldelli said. “How long that’s going to be, I’m not sure. This isn’t an injury, per se. This is muscle soreness that he’s having a tough time getting rid of. Something that rest is probably going to help.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Outfielder Max Kepler (left hamstring strain) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul as the designated hitter on Sunday and was hitless in his first four at-bats. … Outfielder Byron Buxton (right hip strain) and infielder/outfielder Luis Arraez (right shoulder strain) didn’t play in rehab games on Sunday, instead taking a day to recover.
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