Trevor Larnach launched a three-run homer during Minnesota’s six-run fourth inning, and the Twins opened a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels with an 11-4 win on Friday night in Minneapolis.
Byron Buxton homered, tripled and drove in three runs, and Larnach had two hits and four RBIs for Minnesota, which set a season high for runs scored and won for the third time in its last four games.
Pablo Lopez (2-1), who had not pitched since April 8 due to a right hamstring strain, allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out six while throwing a season-high 101 pitches.
Logan O’Hoppe and Mike Trout homered for Los Angeles, which has lost four of its last six games. Luis Rengifo had three hits.
With the game tied 1-1, Minnesota scored two runs in the third inning against Kyle Hendricks (0-3). With one out, Buxton hit a solo shot for his sixth homer this season, and pinch hitter Mickey Gasper was hit by a pitch. Larnach followed with an RBI double to right field.
Gasper was hitting for Luke Keaschall, who was hit by a pitch on his right wrist in the first inning. Gasper went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs.
The Twins sent nine batters to the plate in their big fourth inning.
Edouard Julien brought home the first run by drawing a bases-loaded walk from Hendricks, who then gave way to Carl Edwards Jr. Buxton followed with a sacrifice fly, and Gasper singled in a run for his first career RBI. Larnach hit a three-run blast for his fourth homer of the season.
Hendricks, in his 12th major league season, issued a career-high five walks and gave up seven runs on three hits with three strikeouts over three-plus innings.
The Angels scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings on Trout’s RBI single and O’Hoppe solo shot, respectively. O’Hoppe’s homer was his second in as many games and seventh of the season.
Minnesota added to its lead with two runs in the sixth inning when Buxton tripled in a run and scored on Gasper’s double.
Trout hit a solo blast with one out in the seventh for his ninth homer of the season.
