MINNEAPOLIS — The Houston Astros kicked off their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins with a much-needed victory, winning 5-2 at Target Field on Thursday, April 3, 2025. After a rough start to the season, the Astros showed signs of life, powered by a strong pitching performance from Hunter Brown and a revitalized offense that finally broke out of its early-season slump.
Brown, who had faced struggles in his previous outing at Target Field last July, settled in after a shaky first inning. Despite allowing two runs early, he worked through six strong innings, striking out eight Twins batters and allowing only five hits, with the Twins averaging a mere 74.9 mph exit velocity against him. The young right-hander's ability to induce weak contact and avoid hard hits was pivotal in securing the win.
“After the first inning, I definitely said, man, these guys find a way to get knocks off me,” Brown reflected. “But I was able to kind of turn the page and shell out some innings for the club.” His performance was crucial in helping the Astros snap a three-game losing streak.
Offensively, the Astros came alive in the second inning, with Christian Walker and Jeremy Peña hitting back-to-back home runs, marking a significant moment as it matched the Astros' total home runs from their first six games. Brendan Rodgers also contributed with a two-run single in the fourth inning, followed by a run-scoring double, finishing the game with three hits.
“Coming back after that first inning and getting two solo homers from Walker and Peña really shifted the momentum back,” Rodgers said. “We’ve got a super deep lineup. We’ve got a lot of guys that can hit for power, get on base, take their walks.”
Despite the win, it was a rough day for star player José Altuve, who went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts, marking the first time in his career he struck out five times in a game. Altuve entered the game with a .391 average and a six-game hitting streak, but his struggles were emblematic of the Astros’ inconsistent start to the season.
The Astros improved their record to 3-4, while the Twins fell to 2-5. Both teams were looking to turn their seasons around after disappointing starts, with the Astros having been swept by the San Francisco Giants in their previous series, while the Twins had just won a series against the Chicago White Sox.
In terms of injuries, the Astros were dealing with several key players sidelined, including Forrest Whitley and Kaleb Ort on the 15-day injured list. The Twins also had their share of injuries, missing Brooks Lee and Brock Stewart among others. These absences have tested the depth of both rosters early in the season.
The game started with the Twins taking an early lead, thanks to a leadoff triple from Matt Wallner, who later scored on a groundout. Byron Buxton added an infield hit and stole second base, scoring on a single from Trevor Larnach. However, the Astros quickly responded with their offensive outburst.
Joe Ryan, the Twins’ starting pitcher, struggled against the Astros lineup, finishing with a 4.50 ERA after allowing four runs over five innings. His performance was a stark contrast to Brown’s, as the Astros capitalized on every opportunity presented to them.
“We’ve just had unfortunate events, but I feel like we’ve hit some balls pretty hard,” Peña commented after the game. “It’s a long year, and in the long term, it’s going to play out.”
Looking ahead, the Astros will need to maintain this momentum as they continue their road trip. Their next matchup against the Twins will be crucial for both teams as they fight for better positioning in their respective divisions. The Twins, despite their loss, are still in contention in the American League Central, while the Astros aim to climb out of the bottom of the AL West.
Fans can expect an exciting series as both teams look to establish themselves early in the season. The Astros and Twins will meet again on Friday, with the first pitch scheduled for 14:10 Central Time. As always, the game will be available for viewing on MLB League Pass, ensuring that fans won’t miss a moment of the action.
This game exemplified the unpredictability and excitement of Major League Baseball, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how these teams adapt and evolve in the face of challenges, especially with injuries playing a significant role in their early season performances.
