Joe Ryan, Twins Dominate Astros

Joe Ryan pitching. Ryan and the Twins dominated the Astros Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

May 20, 2026

Twins 4, Astros 1

The Minnesota Twins defeated the Houston Astros, 4–1, Wednesday afternoon behind a dominant outing from Joe Ryan and a three‑run home run from Ryan Kreidler. The Twins scored all four runs on home runs, while the Astros managed only one run on five hits.

Astros-Twins Game Summary

Joe Ryan set the tone immediately. He generated early strikeouts, limited hard contact, and kept the Astros off balance throughout the first inning. Jeremy Peña singled to shallow center, but Ryan quickly ended the threat and settled into a steady rhythm.

Mike Burrows started for the Astros and worked around early traffic, hitting Byron Buxton with a pitch in the first. The Astros struck first in the second when Christian Vázquez lined an RBI single to center, giving them a brief 1–0 lead.

The Twins answered in the bottom half. Victor Caratini launched a solo home run to right‑center, tying the game and continuing the Twins’ power‑driven approach.

Ryan took full control from that point forward. He struck out nine across six innings, consistently finishing at‑bats with elevated fastballs and sharp breaking pitches. The Astros rarely reached deep counts, and Ryan prevented any sustained rallies.

The turning point came in the fourth. After the Twins put runners aboard, Kreidler delivered the decisive swing — a three‑run home run to left‑center that gave the Twins a 4–1 lead.

Ryan completed six innings before handing the game to the relief corps. The Twins relievers matched his effectiveness, holding the Astros scoreless over the final three innings to secure the win.

What Went Right for the Astros

Burrows Kept the Game Close Early

Burrows kept the Astros within reach through the first several innings. He worked around early baserunners and avoided a big inning until the fourth.

Vázquez Delivered Early Run Production

Vázquez drove in the Astros’ only run with a second‑inning single. It briefly gave the Astros the lead and showed the lineup could produce early contact.

Early Contact and Steady Defense

Peña’s first‑inning single and scattered hits through the early frames created some activity. Defensively, the Astros prevented additional early damage and kept the game close until the fourth.

What Went Wrong for the Astros

Ryan Overmatched the Lineup

The Astros struggled to generate pressure against Ryan, striking out frequently and failing to produce consistent quality contact.

Missed Opportunities

After the second inning, the Astros did not mount a meaningful rally. Limited baserunners and no extended threats kept them from responding to the Twins’ power.

Fourth Inning Shifted Control

Burrows kept the game close early, but Kreidler’s three‑run home run in the fourth created a deficit the Astros could not overcome.

Quick Hits

Joe Ryan: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 9 K
Ryan Kreidler: three‑run home run in the fourth
Victor Caratini: solo home run in the second
The Twins scored all four runs on home runs
Mike Burrows: 6 IP, 4 ER, 2 K
The Astros finished with five hits and one RBI

Next Up

The Astros have an off-day Thursday before opening a series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. Central as the Astros look to rebound after being held to one run.