Tyler Duffey’s solid start in his hometown was ruined by a collapse by Minnesota’s bullpen.
Jed Lowrie hit a grand slam in a five-run seventh inning and Dallas Keuchel became the American League’s first 17-game winner as the Houston Astros rallied for a 8-5 victory over the Twins on Sunday.
The Astros had a double in the third and hit leadoff doubles in both the fifth and sixth innings, but didn’t have more than one hit in an inning off Duffey through six.
Carlos Gomez got things going in the seventh with a single with one out before a two-out single by Luis Valbuena chased Duffey. He was replaced by Trevor May, who walked pinch-hitter Preston Tucker to load the bases. Jose Altuve hit a dribbler to third baseman Trevor Plouffe and narrowly beat the throw to first for an RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1.
Lowrie then hit his second career grand slam and his first since 2009 into the second row in right field off May (8-9) to make it 5-2.
“It’s one of those things, he’s just been dominant,” Duffey said of May. “Sometimes it just happens.”
May dropped his head when Lowrie connected and shook it as he bounded around the bases and into a celebration at home plate.
“In short I blew it,” May said. “I’m looking forward to another chance to get out there.”
Via Jim Rueda/AP