The Minnesota Twins<\/a> defeated the Houston Astros<\/a>, 4\u20131, Wednesday afternoon behind a dominant outing from Joe Ryan<\/a><\/strong> and a three\u2011run home run from Ryan Kreidler<\/a><\/strong>. The Twins scored all four runs on home runs, while the Astros managed only one run on five hits.<\/p>\n Joe Ryan set the tone immediately. He generated early strikeouts, limited hard contact, and kept the Astros off balance throughout the first inning. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a><\/strong> singled to shallow center, but Ryan quickly ended the threat and settled into a steady rhythm.<\/p>\n Mike Burrows<\/a><\/strong> started for the Astros and worked around early traffic, hitting Byron Buxton<\/a><\/strong> with a pitch in the first. The Astros struck first in the second when Christian V\u00e1zquez<\/a><\/strong> lined an RBI single to center, giving them a brief 1\u20130 lead.<\/p>\n The Twins answered in the bottom half. Victor Caratini<\/a><\/strong> launched a solo home run to right\u2011center, tying the game and continuing the Twins\u2019 power\u2011driven approach.<\/p>\n Ryan took full control from that point forward. He struck out nine across six innings, consistently finishing at\u2011bats with elevated fastballs and sharp breaking pitches. The Astros rarely reached deep counts, and Ryan prevented any sustained rallies.<\/p>\n The turning point came in the fourth. After the Twins put runners aboard, Kreidler delivered the decisive swing \u2014 a three\u2011run home run to left\u2011center that gave the Twins a 4\u20131 lead.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Burrows kept the Astros within reach through the first several innings. He worked around early baserunners and avoided a big inning until the fourth.<\/p>\n V\u00e1zquez drove in the Astros\u2019 only run with a second\u2011inning single. It briefly gave the Astros the lead and showed the lineup could produce early contact.<\/p>\n Pe\u00f1a\u2019s first\u2011inning 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.<\/p>\n The Astros struggled to generate pressure against Ryan, striking out frequently and failing to produce consistent quality contact.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 power.<\/p>\n Burrows kept the game close early, but Kreidler\u2019s three\u2011run home run in the fourth created a deficit the Astros could not overcome.<\/p>\n The Astros have an off-day Thursday before opening a series against the Chicago Cubs<\/a> on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. Central as the Astros look to rebound after being held to one run.<\/p>\nAstros-Twins Game Summary<\/b><\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Astros<\/h3>\n
Burrows Kept the Game Close Early<\/strong><\/h4>\n
V\u00e1zquez Delivered Early Run Production<\/h4>\n
Early Contact and Steady Defense<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Astros<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ryan Overmatched the Lineup<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Missed Opportunities<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Fourth Inning Shifted Control<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Quick Hits<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Next Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Main Picture:<\/h4>\n