ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kyle Hendricks delivered his best outing of the season with seven scoreless innings, and the Los Angeles Angels broke out the bats with a pair of three-run homers from Chris Taylor and Yoán Moncada in a commanding 12–2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Hendricks (7–9) was masterful, limiting Minnesota to just four hits while striking out six and walking one. He threw 58 of his 80 pitches for strikes in a performance that kept the Twins off balance all night.
All Runs Come With Two Outs
Every one of the Angels’ 12 runs came with two outs, showcasing their ability to extend innings and apply pressure late. Luis Rengifo got things going early with a two-out, two-run single in the first and added another RBI single in the fifth, giving L.A. a 5–0 cushion.
The Angels poured it on in the later innings. Taylor Ward’s RBI single set the stage for Chris Taylor’s three-run blast to dead center in the sixth. One inning later, Moncada followed singles by Sebastián Rivero and Bryce Teodosio with his 12th home run of the season — a three-run shot to right — putting the game well out of reach.
Twins Struggle to Contain Hot Bats
Zebby Matthews (4–5) took the loss for Minnesota, surrendering five runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Angels tallied 17 hits in total and finished 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Mike Trout and Moncada each crossed the plate three times.
Minnesota avoided the shutout in the ninth when utilityman Ryan Fitzgerald — who came in to pitch a scoreless eighth — connected for a two-run homer, his first in the majors.
Key Moment
The Twins had their best chance in the sixth with two runners aboard and just one out. But Hendricks shut the door, retiring Trevor Larnach on a pop-up and Luke Keaschall on a fly ball to left, maintaining the five-run lead.
Key Stat
Mike Trout remains stuck on 398 career home runs. His current homerless streak has reached a career-high 119 plate appearances over 27 games. His previous longest drought was 117 plate appearances in 2015.
Injury Note
Angels slugger Jo Adell — fourth in the AL with 35 home runs — missed his second straight game due to vertigo symptoms.
Up Next
The series concludes Wednesday as Minnesota sends RHP Taj Bradley (6–7, 4.92 ERA) to the mound to face Angels right-hander José Soriano (10–10, 4.07 ERA).
