MINNEAPOLIS -- The strong start by the first-place Minnesota Twins has been fueled by an ample supply of power.
Byron Buxton and Jason Castro each hit two-run home runs on Wednesday, just the cushion that was needed to withstand a late surge by the Los Angeles Angels.
"Just put good swings on the ball," Buxton said, "and the ball will do what it does."
Twins reliever Mike Morin hit former teammate Mike Trout with a bases-loaded pitch that forced in a run in the ninth inning before retiring Shohei Ohtani to end the game on a groundout and preserve an 8-7 victory over the Angels.
"I thought we were going to sneak away with it," Angels starter Trevor Cahill said, "but give the Twins credit. They stopped us at the end."
Jonathan Lucroy had an RBI double and David Fletcher drove in a run with a single against Trevor Hildenberger in the three-run ninth, before the AL Central leaders turned to Morin for the final two outs and his first save this season. Morin gave up two of the season-high 18 hits by the Angels and plunked Trout on the shoulder.
Ehire Adrianza added a two-run double for the Twins, who took the three-game set from the Angels and improved their series record this season to 8-4-2. They've won 10 of their last 15 games, and they're 24-6 when scoring four or more runs. The Twins have 76 home runs in 42 games, the third-most in the majors.
"We just have a knack for hitting them, and it's good to have," Twins starter Jake Odorizzi said. "You're never out of a game and can get a lead. We needed every bit of that lead. It's going to be a good year watching these guys keep progressing through these at-bats."
Odorizzi (6-2) gave up 9 hits and 3 runs in 51/3 innings, but this Twins lineup that's suddenly stacked with sluggers produced enough support.
YANKEES 5-3, ORIOLES 3-1 Gleyber Torres hit two of the Yankees' four home runs, and New York beat visiting Baltimore in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game, Torres had a solo home run and Domingo German became the majors' first eight-game winner as the Yankees swept the pair.
ASTROS 5, TIGERS 1 Justin Verlander allowed two hits in seven impressive innings against his former team, and Houston beat host Detroit.
RANGERS 6, ROYALS 1 Ronald Guzman and Willie Calhoun each hit a two-run home run, and visiting Texas cruised to a victory over Kansas City.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
REDS 6, CUBS 5 (10) Eugenio Suarez hit a tying two-run home run in the eighth, and Yasiel Puig singled with the bases loaded in the 10th, rallying Cincinnati over visiting Chicago.
DIAMONDBACKS 11, PIRATES 1 Zack Greinke pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning and host Arizona routed Pittsburgh.
BREWERS 5, PHILLIES 2 Gio Gonzalez continued to make the most of his second stint in Milwaukee, allowing one run while pitching into the sixth inning as visiting Milwaukee beat Philadelphia.
NATIONALS 5, METS 1 Patrick Corbin struck out 11 in eight strong innings and Victor Robles homered to help host Washington beat New York.
BRAVES 4, CARDINALS 0 Austin Riley made quite a splash in his big league debut, homering off Michael Wacha to lead Atlanta over visiting St. Louis.
INTERLEAGUE
GIANTS 4, BLUE JAYS 3 Edwin Jackson became the first player in major league history to play for 14 teams when he made his Toronto debut and pitched five innings in a loss to host San Francisco.
RED SOX 6, ROCKIES 5 (10) J.D. Martinez homered in his third consecutive game, rookie Michael Chavis singled home the winning run and Boston beat visiting Colorado.
RAYS 1, MIAMI 0 Seven pitchers combined on a seven-hitter for Tampa Bay, which shut out host Miami for a second consecutive game.
Wednesday’s games
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona 11, Pittsburgh 1
Cincinnati 6, Chicago Cubs 5 (10)
Milwaukee 5, Philadelphia 2
Washington 5, NY Mets 1
Atlanta 4, St. Louis 0
San Diego at LA Dodgers, (n)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota 8, LA Angels 7
NY Yankees 5-3, Baltimore 3-1
Houston 5, Detroit 1
Texas 6, Kansas City 1
INTERLEAGUE
San Francisco 4, Toronto 3
Boston 6, Colorado 5 (10)
Tampa Bay 1, Miami 0
Sports on 05/16/2019