Twins 6, Astros 3: Two hours later…
Josh Bell made some runs and Ryan Jeffers got hurt. Sometimes that’s just how the season goes for the Twins.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 18: Minnesota Twins designated hitter Josh Bell (56) celebrates his solo home run during the third inning of a MLB game between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on May 18, 2026, at Target Field in Minneapolis MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images It was a stormy night in Minneapolis and no one from Cory Provus to the players on the field thought this game was going to go a full nine innings. The field was a mess, Astros shorstop Jeremy Peña turned the field into his personal slip-n-slide, but no one, and I mean NO ONE, was going to stop these umps from forcing the players out for four more meaningless innings.
But let’s go back to the first inning where we all were thankfully put out of our Simeon Woods Richardson-induced misery. With SWR in the midst of the worst stretch of his career, manager Derek Shelton turned to rookie Kendry Rojas, who immediately showed off why he’s a difficult prospect to figure out. Rojas hit Peña, allowed a single to Isaac Paredes, and walked Yordan Alvarez on four pitches to load the bases with no outs just nine pitches into the game.
Luckily, a pop out and a weak line drive double play got the Twins out of the jam without allowing a run. And then, Rojas was nails. He allowed one hit in the second inning but largely overpowered this veteran Astros lineup all night.
Final line: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 runs allowed. His hybrid reliever/starter role, combined with the organization trying to limit his workload, means he isn’t really able to throw more than 50-60 pitches per outing right now, but Rojas showcased exactly why the Twins have been hesitant to move him to relief full time. On the offensive side, it was all Josh Bell early.