Zach Neto homered, Mike Trout drove in two runs, including the game-winner, and the Los Angeles Angels edged the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Trout delivered the decisive blow in the eighth, lofting a sacrifice fly that scored Bryce Teodosio, who had tripled off the top of the center-field wall just beyond James Outman’s reach.
Earlier, Trout singled home a run in the third and came around on Neto’s two-run blast off Taj Bradley, Neto’s 26th homer of the season, giving the Angels a 3-1 lead.
The Twins clawed back when Byron Buxton tied it with his 31st home run, a two-run shot in the sixth. Outman also shined for Minnesota with a homer, a double, and two spectacular leaping grabs in the outfield, though the loss cemented the Twins’ first losing season since 2022.
Robert Stephenson (2-0), the Angels’ fifth reliever, recorded the final out of the eighth to earn the win. Kenley Jansen closed with a flawless ninth, striking out two for his 27th save. Cole Sands (3-4) took the loss in relief.
Bradley gave Minnesota a solid start, allowing three runs on four hits over 6 1/3 innings with five strikeouts.
Key Moment:
Teodosio’s leadoff triple in the eighth set up Trout’s go-ahead sacrifice fly. The play came just after Outman had doubled in the top of the inning on a ball Teodosio misplayed in center.
Key Stat:
Minnesota stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with men in scoring position.
Up Next:
After a Thursday off, the Twins return home to face Arizona with Pablo López (5-4, 2.84 ERA) starting Friday. The Angels open a four-game series in Seattle on Thursday with José Soriano (10-10, 4.07 ERA) on the mound.