June 2, 2017

Joe Mauer, Robbie Grossman, and Max Kepler each hit 2-run homers, as the Twins beat up the Angels 11-5 on Friday night at the Big A.

Minnesota built a 7-0 lead by the 5th inning against J.C. Ramirez (5-4).  He took the loss after getting abused for 7 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work.  Ramirez departed after 74 pitches.

Albert Pujols went 0-4 on the night with two strikeouts.  He remains at 599 career home runs, one short of joining the milestone 600 home run club.

The Halos got a couple of runs back in the 6th inning.  Kole Calhoun delivered one with an RBI single, and another came when Andrelton Simmons scored after Pujols grounded into a double play. An RBI double from Martin Maldonado, and a 2-run homer from Danny Espinosa in the 9th inning capped the scoring for the Angels.

The Twins got four more runs in the 8th inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Byron Buxton, and an RBI single from Mauer.

Kyle Gibson (2-4) got the win after giving up 2 runs on 6 hits.  He struck out 6 and walked 2 in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Mauer finished 4-5 with 3 RBI on the evening.  His .349 career average against the Angels is the second-best against any AL team.  He’s also a career .366 hitter at Angel Stadium.

The Angels will try to get back in the win column tomorrow in game 3 of the series.  Matt Shoemaker (4-3, 4.26 ERA) gets the ball for the Halos.  He’ll be opposed by former-Angel Ervin Santana (7-2, 1.75 ERA).