Minnesota Twins'Josh Bell, left, hits an RBI single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
By TYLER MASON
MINNEAPOLIS — Josh Bell homered twice and drove in four runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-3 on Monday night.
The game was delayed 1 hours, 57 minutes due to rain and lightning in the bottom of the fifth inning with the Twins leading 3-0.
Bell homered in the second inning to open the scoring, then took Astros starter Tatsuya Imai (1-2) deep to left for a two-run shot in the fourth. It was the 12th multi-homer game of Bell’s 11-year career.
After play resumed, Bell drove in his fourth run with an RBI single in the sixth.
Houston threatened in the first against Minnesota’s Kendry Rojas, a reliever who opened and threw four innings. Rojas loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single before recording an out. But he escaped by inducing an infield fly and a double play.
Rojas allowed two hits and struck out three in his first career start. He debuted on April 22 and has made three relief appearances.
Eric Orze (2-1) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Taylor Rogers got the last two outs for his first save.
Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña was activated Monday after missing time with a right hamstring strain. He led off for Houston and drew a walk in his first plate appearance since April 11. The injury-riddled Astros began the series without Jose Altuve, who landed on the injured list with an oblique strain.
Up next
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (2-3, 6.86 ERA) takes the mound for Houston on Tuesday after winning two of his last three starts. Minnesota will give RHP Zebby Matthews (1-0, 0.00) his second start of the year he worked seven scoreless innings in his debut.
*Associated Press
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