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Despite Barnes' efforts, Twins outlast Astros in 12

Sep 4, 2013 - 6:39 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Darin Mastroianni hit a two-run double in a three-run 12th inning, as Minnesota fought off Houston, 9-6, in the second edition of a three-game series.

Mastroianni ended up with three hits and three RBI, Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe each hit a two-run homer and Alex Presley added two his with a run driven in for the Twins, who have won the first two in the set and four of five overall.

Caleb Thielbar (3-2) fanned two in a scoreless 11th for the win, while Josh Roenicke earned his first save despite walking two in the home 12th.

Brandon Barnes did all he could to keep his team alive, going 3-for-4 with a a two-run single and game-tying three-run homer in the ninth, while Chris Carter added a solo shot for the Astros,

"We've been on the wrong side of some games but we fight," said Barnes. "We battle, we're young and we're still learning."

Kevin Chapman (0-1) was touched for all three runs on as many hits in the top of the 12th.

Twins closer Glen Perkins appeared ready to record his 33rd save of the year, up 6-3 in the ninth despite hitting Brett Wallace and giving up a single to L.J. Hoes with two down, but Barnes, down in the count 0-2, reached out and lined a ball just over the wall in right field to tie the score 6-6.

It all unraveled three innings later.

Chris Colabello greeted Chapman with a single, but was erased at second when Clete Thomas failed to sacrifice him. Josmil Pinto hit a double and pinch- hitter Ryan Doumit walked ahead of a wild pitch that brought in Thomas, and after Presley lined out, Mastroianni laced a two-run double for a 9-6 score.

"Big hit by Mastroianni," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "A couple guys getting on the bases there was huge."

Roenicke walked Barnes and Marwin Gonzalez with one out in the home half, but retired the next two batters to close out the win.

Minnesota jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, as Mastroianni singled with one out and scored on Dozier's two-run blast.

Carter's long homer to the train tracks in left cut Houston's deficit in half in the second, but Plouffe reached the seats in left one batter after Josh Willingham worked a walk, and the Twins led 4-1 in the third.

Barnes singled home a pair in the home seventh to make it a one-run contest. Trevor Crowe hit a leadoff single, then Casey Fien walked Wallace with one out. A groundout by Hoes moved both into scoring position, before Barnes dumped the big hit to right.

But the Twins responded in the eighth. Pinto hit a leadoff single against Jorge De Leon, then Presley doubled him home with one out for a 5-3 game. Cody Clark's passed ball advanced Presley to third, and it was a three-run edge for the visitors on Mastroianni's fly to center.

Game Notes

Minnesota has won all five meetings with Houston in 2013 ... Barnes' five RBI is a career high, eclipsing his three-RBI performance against the Yankees on April 29 ... Perkins' blown save was just his fourth in 36 chances this season ... Twins starter Pedro Hernandez lasted six-plus innings, allowing six hits and two runs while fanning three ... Houston counterpart Jarred Cosart gave up four runs on five hits with three walks in just four frames ... With an injury to backstop Jason Castro, the Astros acquired Matt Pagnozzi from the Braves in exchange for cash considerations on Tuesday.