Twins Beat Houston to Open Home Stand

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eduardo Nunez homered and Kyle Gibson pitched 5 2-3 scoreless innings to help the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 victory over the AL West-leading Houston Astros on Friday night.

Gibson (9-9) gave up four hits, struck out four and walked three. Kevin Jepsen picked up his ninth save, giving the Twins their seventh win in their last eight games to surge back into wild card contention.

Astros star Jose Altuve flied out with the bases loaded to end the game.

Scott Kazmir (2-4) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six in seven innings. But the lefty hit two batters in Minnesota's two-run fourth.

A tantalizing matchup between two of the American League's top rookies never materialized. Houston shortstop Carlos Correa and Minnesota slugger Miguel Sano both were scratched with hamstring injuries.