Cave Helps Twins Hold Off Angels For 7-5 Win

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Cave had a career-high three hits, including a home run, and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 Sunday.

Eduardo Escobar doubled twice to take over the major league lead with 26 and the Minnesota bullpen threw 3 2/3 shutout innings before a two-run single by Albert Pujols in the ninth.

Los Angeles had the go-ahead run at the plate against closer Fernando Rodney, but Zack Cozart popped out.

Pujols had three RBIs and Ian Kinsler three hits for Los Angeles, which lost for the first time in seven games.

Fernando Romero (3-2) had control issues from the outset, but managed to complete five innings to win for the first time in six starts. He allowed five hits and struck out five while throwing 94 pitches. Romero also hit two batters and threw two wild pitches.

Los Angeles starter Nick Tropeano (3-4) struggled for the second consecutive outing, allowing five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. Only 35 of his 66 pitches were strikes. Tropeano allowed five runs in 4 2-3 innings last Monday against Kansas City.

Trailing 3-2 in the fifth, Mitch Garver doubled, Cave had an RBI single and Ehire Adrianza an RBI triple off Tropeano for a 4-3 Twins lead. Escobar had an RBI double two batters later against Cam Bedrosian.

Cave, who made his major league debut May 19 and was 1-for-10 at the plate entering Sunday — the lone hit cleared the fence — added a two-run home run into the bullpen in the sixth and doubled in the eighth.

Logan Morrison's first-inning home run gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead.

FIRST FOR FERNANDEZ

Los Angeles' Jose Miguel Fernandez got his first career RBI with a fourth-inning double. Called up from Triple-A Salt Lake before Friday's game, the 30-year-old first-baseman was 4-for-10 in the series.

TRAINERS ROOM

Angels: C Martin Maldonado, who fouled a ball off his foot Friday, was back behind the plate. He was hit by a pitch in the second inning.

Twins: Brian Dozier got a day off with Escobar starting at 2B. ... CF Byron Buxton (broken left big toe) hit off a tee and did some flip drills Saturday. "I think he was pleased with how it went," manager Paul Molitor said. ... Buxton and 1B Joe Mauer (neck/concussion) did some pregame base-running Sunday. Mauer also took batting practice and did some fielding. His next step is uncertain, but could include a rehab assignment.

UP NEXT

Angels: Open a three-game series Monday in Seattle with LHP Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.12) scheduled to start against Mariners LHP Wade LeBlanc (1-0, 2.94).

Twins: RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 4.24) is scheduled to get the ball Tuesday in Detroit to begin a six-game road trip. LHP Blaine Hardy (2-1, 3.66) is the scheduled Tigers starter.

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