Wallner homers, Lee breaks 0-for-19 skid to lead Twins over Angels 6-4

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Matt Wallner homered for the second consecutive game, and Brooks Lee ended a 0-for-19 slump with a crucial two-run double as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 on Wednesday night.

In the seventh inning, Royce Lewis nearly hit his sixth career grand slam. His drive to left field was initially ruled a home run but, after review, was determined to have hit the top of the wall and bounced back into play, resulting in a two-run double instead.

Wallner’s 13th home run of the season, which cleared the bullpens in left-center field, tied the game after Los Angeles’ Taylor Ward had given the Angels an early lead with his 23rd home run. Willi Castro contributed an RBI single, breaking a personal 0-for-16 drought, during a productive three-run fourth inning for the Twins.

The victory marks Minnesota’s second straight win after a rough stretch in which they lost six of their previous seven games. The Twins are now six games behind Cleveland and 1.5 games behind Kansas City in the AL Central, while holding a three-game lead over Detroit for the final AL wild-card spot.

For the Angels, Nolan Schanuel hit his 13th homer of the season and Jordyn Adams added his first career home run. However, the team has lost four of its last five games.

Angels rookie starter Jack Kochanowicz (2-5) gave up four runs over 5 2/3 innings. Despite a string of five quality starts since being recalled on August 10, he struggled in this outing. On the other side, Minnesota rookie Zebby Matthews allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings before Cole Sands (7-1) pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief.

In the ninth inning, Jhoan Duran faced some challenges, giving up three hits, including an RBI single to Schanuel, but he ultimately secured his 23rd save.

**UP NEXT**

**Angels:** Left-hander Sam Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45 ERA) is slated to start on Friday as Los Angeles returns home for a series against the Houston Astros, who have yet to announce their starter.

**Twins:** Right-hander Bailey Ober (12-6, 3.77 ERA) will take the mound for the Twins on Friday. The Reds have not yet named their starting pitcher.