Twins 3 - 1 Astros
Final
  for this game

Gibson, Vargas send Twins past Astros

Aug 13, 2014 - 11:30 PM Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Kyle Gibson pitched into the eighth inning and Kennys Vargas added a late two-run hit, as Minnesota claimed a 3-1 victory over Houston in Wednesday's rubber match of a three-game series.

Gibson (11-9) worked 7 2/3 innings, scattering six hits and one run, walking two and fanning four. Glen Perkins finished off the contest with a scoreless ninth to earn his 30th save.

"I was sitting right there with him," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire of his decision to keep Gibson on the mound. "I said 'If he gets through the eighth inning under 100 pitches we let him go back out there and take a shot at it.'"

Danny Santana collected four hits and scored once for the Twins, who have won three of four heading into an 11-game homestand which kicks off Friday against Kansas City. Joe Mauer added two hits and an RBI.

Chris Carter hit safely twice and drove in the lone run for the Astros, who have dropped six of their last nine. Brett Oberholtzer (4-8) allowed a run on six hits through the first seven frames.

"Oberholtzer threw the ball well," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He did a tremendous job, and offensively we didn't swing the bats. So he ends up being the tough luck loser."

Mauer broke the scoreless deadlock with a solo shot in the sixth -- his third of the season -- and the Twins tacked on two more insurance runs in the eighth.

Santana started with a single, Brian Dozier doubled and Mauer was given a free pass with first base open. Vargas then dumped a hit to center which scored two.

In the home half, Jose Altuve singled with two down, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a bloop hit to left from Carter. Gibson was finally pulled for Casey Fien, who retired Dexter Fowler to end the inning.

Perkins set Houston down in order to finish off the contest.

Game Notes

Gibson failed to allow a runner past second base for the duration of his outing ... Both sides won three of the six games in the season series, with the road team winning two of three in both sets ... Since coming off the DL on Monday, Mauer has gone 5-for-11, and he extended his personal hit streak to 15 straight games ... Houston begins a 10-game road swing at Boston on Thursday ... Prior to the contest, the Astros activated Fowler from the 15-day disabled list. Outfielder Domingo Santana was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City following Tuesday's contest.






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