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Astros use power surge to take down Twins

Aug 13, 2014 - 6:41 AM Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Carter homered twice and knocked in five, as the Houston Astros pounded the Minnesota Twins, 10-4, in the second edition of a three-game series.

Jose Altuve went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Astros, who recovered from dropping a 4-2 decision in Monday's opener to win for the third time in five overall.

Jake Marisnick homered among his two hits and crossed home twice, with Marwin Gonzalez hitting safely twice and scoring two runs for Houston. The burst of offense buttressed starter Collin McHugh (5-9), who allowed one run on four hits over six effective innings.

"When you have guys like (Carter) swinging the bat, Altuve is always on base, guys like Jake hitting his first home run, it's fun to watch," McHugh said.

Oswaldo Arcia accounted for three RBI on two home runs and Kennys Vargas added a solo shot for the Twins, whose two-game win streak came to an end.

Yohan Pino (1-5) was tagged in defeat for seven hits and as many runs, despite fanning seven, in just 4 1/3 frames.

"I felt great in the first innings, but then I lost a little bit," said Pino.

Arcia's homer in the second inning put Minnesota on the board, then by the time he launched a two-run shot and Vargas contributed his longball in a three-run ninth, the Astros reeled off 10 consecutive runs.

Marisnick equalized for the hosts to kick off the third, then Altuve kept the frame alive with a two-out single and came in when Carter cleared the wall in left to make it a 3-1 game.

Houston chased Pino with four runs in the fifth. Three consecutive singles came after Marisnick fanned swinging, the last being Altuve's hit to score Gonzalez. Carter followed with his three-run blast. Caleb Thielbar recorded the final two outs of the inning but the hosts led 7-1.

Gonzalez and Altuve picked up RBI singles in the sixth to extend the Astros' advantage to eight, then Robbie Grossman doubled home Jonathan Singleton in the eighth to push the hosts into double digits.

Game Notes

Houston scored at least 10 runs for the fourth time this season, and the first time since claiming an 11-7 victory in Chicago against the White Sox on July 20 ... Prior to the contest, the Astros announced that outfielder George Springer, who has not played since July 19, re-aggravated a quad injury and will miss the next two weeks ... Minnesota has lost five of its last seven overall.