Larnach's Homer Sparks Twins to 12-2 Victory Over Rangers, Securing Series Win

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Minnesota Twins showcased their power and pitching prowess Tuesday night, securing a decisive 12-2 victory against the Texas Rangers. Trevor Larnach kicked off the game with a home run, while Kody Clemens contributed a three-run blast, helping the Twins clinch yet another series in Texas.

Larnach’s impressive home run came on the second pitch of the game, soaring 425 feet into the right-field stands. This marked the tenth leadoff home run allowed by the Rangers this season, a figure that underscores their struggles in this area, as it is double that of any other team. Clemens added to the scoring frenzy in the third inning with his 11th home run, extending the Twins' lead to 5-0.

Josh Bell, a local product from nearby Irving, made significant contributions at the plate with two hits and two RBIs. On the mound, Minnesota's Zebby Matthews (3-4) delivered a stellar performance, striking out four batters across seven innings and allowing only two runs while throwing 68 strikes out of 93 pitches.

This victory marks the Twins’ fourth consecutive series win at Globe Life Field, where their 13-5 record stands as the best for any American League team since the venue opened in 2020. Conversely, Rangers starter Kumar Rocker (2-6) struggled, exiting after 3 1/3 innings with seven runs (six earned) to his name. Despite a commendable 2.77 ERA at home prior to this outing, his numbers took a hit after his 16th start.

The Twins extended their lead to 10-0 in the fourth inning, capitalizing on two errors by right fielder Brandon Nimmo, who committed a dropped flyball and a poor throw. This marked the first time in his 1,065-game career that Nimmo had two errors in a single game, despite having only 17 total errors over 11 seasons.

Following a break for a World Cup match between England and Croatia on Wednesday, the series will conclude on Thursday. Joe Ryan (4-3, 3.17 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Twins, while Jack Leiter (3-6, 4.97) will pitch for the Rangers.