Mauer Goes Deep As Twins Beat Astros, 3-1
HOUSTON (AP) — Joe Mauer homered to break a scoreless game in the sixth inning and Kyle Gibson gave up one run in 7 2-3 innings to propel the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Mauer hit a 2-2 pitch into the right field bullpen off Brett Oberholtzer (4-8) to make it 1-0. He extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a first inning single.
Gibson (11-9) scattered six hits, striking out four, and allowing one earned run.
Minnesota extended the lead to 3-0 in the eighth inning when Kennys Vargas hit a two-run single into the left field gap off reliever Josh Fields.
Chris Carter singled in a run for Houston in the eighth.
Glen Perkins pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 30th save.
Oberholtzer pitched well over seven innings. The left-hander allowed six hits and struck out four.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: First baseman Jesus Guzman will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Guzman was placed on the 15-day disabled list August 3rd with back spasms.
Twins: Ricky Nolasco is on schedule to make his first start since going on the disabled list July 8th after a second successful rehab outing August 10th. His return will push back the club's rotation one day.
UP NEXT
Astros: Scott Feldman will look to extend his August win streak to three against Boston Thursday against Red Sox right-hander Allen Webster.
Twins: After two rehab starts, Nolasco is scheduled to come off the disabled list Friday to face Kansas City and will be looking for his third win against the Royals in 2014.
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