HOUSTON -- The Twins keep taking hits. The remaining players keep stepping up.
Zebby Matthews pitched seven outstanding innings for his third straight strong start, and Minnesota blasted three homers off of Peter Lambert as the Twins opened a tough road trip with a 5-4 win against the Astros at Daikin Park.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Twins learned they would be without reliever Anthony Banda for a period of months due to a lat injury, and that Byron Buxton’s status is in question due to hip discomfort. But they came out and played one of their crispest games of the year, with strong infield defense, an exceptional start from Matthews and another night racking up extra bases at the plate.
Outings like Matthews’ on Monday will be critical if the Twins are to weather the loss of Banda, an injury that thins an already stretched relief corps. The third-year right-hander has shown an improved ability to pitch deep into games this year, going at least six innings in eight of his nine starts and lasting seven innings four times.
Against the Astros, he stuck to his M.O., throwing strikes and pitching aggressively, and though Houston hit a few balls to the track, he mostly kept the ball in the park. A solo homer by Cam Smith was the only blemish on his line. Matthews struck out seven and walked one, and it was the third straight start that he went at least six innings with no more than two runs allowed.