Springer explodes as Astros sweep Twins
MINNEAPOLIS -- George Springer had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Chris Devenski pitched five shutout innings to lead the Houston Astros to a 10-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins and a sweep of a split doubleheader Thursday at Target Field.
Houston compiled a season-high 19 hits en route to a 15-7 victory in the first game.
Springer played a starring role in both contests, combining to go 5-for-9 with six RBIs. In addition to his home run, he also doubled twice and scored a pair of runs in the night game as Houston won the final three contests of the four-game set.
Carlos Correa and Evan Gattis also homered and Correa scored three times.
Devenski (1-4), a reliever making only his fifth start of the season and first since mid-May, allowed two hits and struck out five to earn his first career victory in his 32nd major League appearance.
Miguel Sano had two hits, including an RBI double for Minnesota. Jorge Polanco singled twice, extending his hitting streak to 13 games.
Tommy Milone (3-4), demoted to the bullpen two weeks ago, was roughed up in his spot start, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks in three innings.
The Astros took the lead in the second inning when Gattis smashed a three-run homer into the left-field bleachers for his 18th of the season. Springer added an RBI double later in the inning for a 4-0 lead through two.
Correa homered to lead off the third and Springer tattooed his 23rd homer, a two-run shot, to give Houston a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The Astros continued to pour it on in the fifth, getting back-to-back doubles from Correa and Marwin Gonzalez to score one before an RBI single by Gattis made it 9-0.
Jose Altuve posted his second consecutive four-hit game and starting pitcher Doug Fister earned the victory, allowing five runs on eight hits and a pair of walks in seven innings in the opener. Correa also belted a three-run homer in the first game.
Kennys Vargas had a pair of home runs in the first game for the Twins, including one from each side of the plate. He became the fourth player in team history, and first since 2012, to hit a homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.
NOTES: Astros LHP Kevin Chapman was recalled from Triple-A Fresno before the game to serve as Houston's 26th man for the doubleheader. Chapman has a 5.81 ERA in 43 appearances with Fresno this season and a 3.38 ERA in three previous games with the Astros. ... Twins LHP Buddy Boshers was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of left elbow inflammation. Boshers is 2-0 with a 5.84 ERA in 24 appearances this season. ... Twins LHP Andrew Albers had his contract selected from Triple-A Rochester. Albers has a 9-5 record with a 3.51 ERA in 19 starts with Rochester this season but has only pitched in one game in the majors since appearing in 10 games with the Twins in 2013. ... Houston travels to Toronto to open a three-game series with the Blue Jays on Friday at Rogers Centre. ... Minnesota continues its seven-game homestand when it begins a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Target Field.