Minnesota Twins @ Houston Astros
Mauricio Dubón's walk-off single lifts Astros over Twins 2-1, sweep 3-game series
HOUSTON -- — Victor Caratini tied it with a sacrifice fly in the ninth and Mauricio Dubón hit a walk-off single in the 10th on Sunday to help the Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 to sweep the three-game series.
Jake Meyers started at second base in the 10th and scored on Dubón's two-out single to left field.
Astros starter Brandon Walter gave up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings. Shawn Dubin, Bennett Sousa and Josh Hader (4-0) combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
Walter has allowed three earned runs across 17 2/3 innings in three starts this season.
Minnesota’s Brooks Lee led off the third inning with a home run.
Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh but Caratini grounded into a 4-6-3 double play before Meyers grounded out.
Cole Sands (3-3) took the loss.
Jeremy Peña drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and stole second. Peña moved to third when Altuve singled and then scored on Caratini's sacrifice fly off Jhoan Duran to make it 1-1 and force extra innings.
The Astros, who beat the Twins 3-2 on Cam Smith’s walk-off single in the ninth on Saturday, have won five in a row and 16 of their last 22 to take a five-game lead over second-place Seattle in the AL West.
Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 4.91 ERA) takes the mound Monday to open a four-game series with the Athletics, who have not announced a starter. Minnesota is off until Tuesday when David Festa (1-1, 4.76) is scheduled to start against Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.87) to open a three-game set.
------
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
HOU wins 3-0
Game Information
- Umpires:
- Home Plate Umpire - Laz Diaz
- First Base Umpire - Erich Bacchus
- Second Base Umpire - Brian O'Nora
- Third Base Umpire - Mike Estabrook
2026 American League Central Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 14 | 11 | .560 | - | W1 |
| Minnesota | 12 | 11 | .522 | 1 | W1 |
| Detroit | 12 | 12 | .500 | 1.5 | L2 |
| Chicago | 9 | 14 | .391 | 4 | W2 |
| Kansas City | 8 | 16 | .333 | 5.5 | W1 |
2026 American League West Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 13 | 11 | .542 | - | W2 |
| Texas | 12 | 11 | .522 | 0.5 | W1 |
| Los Angeles | 11 | 14 | .440 | 2.5 | L4 |
| Seattle | 10 | 15 | .400 | 3.5 | L2 |
| Houston | 9 | 16 | .360 | 4.5 | L1 |

