Angels Crush Twins Behind Taylor, Moncada in 12-2 Rout
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Angels exploded for a season-high offensive performance, piling up 17 hits in a commanding 12-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night, snapping a six-game skid against Minnesota.
Kyle Hendricks (7-9) earned his first win since late July, striking out six and walking one over five innings to end a seven-start winless streak. He threw 80 pitches, 58 for strikes, before handing it off to the bullpen.
Joan Moncada and Michael A. Taylor powered the Angels’ offense. Moncada went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, three runs, and his 12th home run of the season, while Taylor delivered a 2-for-5 night with four RBIs, highlighted by a towering three-run shot to center in the sixth inning.
Los Angeles struck early, scoring three in the first on Luis Rengifo’s bases-loaded single and a daring double-steal capped by Taylor Ward swiping home. The Angels added two more in the fifth and then broke it open with four runs in the sixth, including Taylor’s 413-foot homer, to take a 9-0 lead.
By the seventh, Moncada’s three-run blast off reliever Thomas Hatch stretched it to 12-0. Ward also stole home and scored twice, Mike Trout collected two hits and three runs, and Rengifo drove in three as Los Angeles improved to 68-77.
Minnesota (64-81) avoided the shutout in the ninth when Ryan Fitzgerald, who had earlier pitched a scoreless inning, crushed a two-run homer just inside the right-field foul pole. Byron Buxton added two hits and a stolen base, while Austin Martin also had two hits and scored.
Zebby Matthews (4-5) took the loss for the Twins, surrendering five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
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