Astros 7, Twins 2: Altuve powers Astros to sixth straight win

The Houston Astros have built a lineup that can beat teams in many different ways. The addition of Josh Reddick, Carlos Beltran, and Brian McCann have been ideal additions to an already stacked deck.

Not to be forgotten is the heart of the Astros lineup is it’s 5’5" second baseman Jose Altuve.

Altuve reminded everyone on Tuesday in a 7-2 win over the Twins at Target Field. Altuve went 4-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.

The Astros offense carried the day, but Mike Fiers set the table for the win after a rough start.

Fiers needed 30-plus pitches to get out of the first inning after allowing two runs, but he wouldn’t allow a run over the final five innings.

In fact, Fiers allowed only two hits and a walk over his final five innings of work. He struck out eight and walked three in the game.

The Twins starting pitcher José Berríos kept the Astros in check for four innings. Houston loaded the bases in the fourth with no outs, but could only get one run on a fielder’s choice double play.

But Altuve broke the game open with a two-run single, scoring George Springer and Alex Bregman — knocking out Berríos after five innings.

Bregman opened the seventh inning with a laser shot for his fifth home run.

The Astros added two runs with a rally that started with two outs in the ninth inning. Springer and Reddick reached, Altuve and Carlos Correa followed with a pair of singles to push the score to 7-2.

Former Astro Jason Castro hit a double off Michael Feliz but the Twins couldn’t mount a comeback.