The Astros beat the Twins 13-12 after nearly blowing an 8-run lead in the 9th inning

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a three-run home run and the Houston Astros topped the Minnesota Twins 13-12 on Friday night after taking an eight-run lead into the bottom of the ninth.

Jeremy Peña had three hits, scored three and drove in three runs to help the Astros win for the 13th time in five games. They are at their best in the major leagues since June 1, at 21-9.

All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve left the game in the eighth inning after being hit in the left wrist by a pitch. X-rays were negative and he is listed as day to day with a wrist contusion.

Trailing 13-5 after Houston scored three times in the ninth inning, the Twins narrowly fell short with a seven-run surge. Josh Hader entered with two outs and allowed a grand slam to Carlos Correa before retiring Manuel Margot for his 15th save.

Twins designated hitter Jose Miranda had 4 hits in 4 at-bats, setting a team record with 10 consecutive hits. Hall of Famer Tony Oliva set the previous record in 1967, and it was tied by Mickey Hatcher in 1985 and Todd Walker in 1998.

The Twins replaced Miranda as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, so his streak remains active at 10.

Astros starting pitcher Shawn Dubin allowed three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. It was Dubin’s second start after 14 relief appearances as the Astros, who have five starting pitchers on the disabled list, hope Dubin can blossom into a full-fledged member of the starting rotation.

Six relievers combined to finish the game, with Bryan King (1-0) earning his first career victory.

Twins starter Pablo Lopez (8-7) allowed six earned runs in five-plus innings, raising his ERA to 5.18.

Houston strung together four singles to score three runs in the top of the second, but the Twins got two more and nearly more in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and a run scored, Dubin walked Willi Castro to make it 3-2.

He then found himself down 3-0 to Correa, but after taking a strike, Correa threw a ball high into right field. Jose Altuve, Correa’s former teammate, sprinted onto the outfield turf and made a sliding catch, saving at least two runs.

Miranda hit a solo home run in the third inning, tying the Twins’ record at 23 consecutive games with a home run.

In the fifth inning, Miranda’s double off King gave the Twins their first lead. But it didn’t last long. The Astros knocked López out of the game with three straight hits in the top of the sixth. Peña’s second single tied the game, and Joey Loperfido’s double down the right-field line off reliever Jorge Alcala gave Houston a 6-4 lead.

Houston scored four runs off reliever Josh Winder over the next two innings and added three more on Bregman’s home run off Kody Funderburk in the ninth.

FOLLOWING

Houston right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown (6-5, 4.07 ERA) was scheduled to face right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan (5-5, 3.21) on Saturday.

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