Strong pitching, late walks help Twins to 3-2 win over Rangers

It didn’t start well and the bats weren’t hot but the Minnesota Twins found a way to get a 3-2 win Thursday night in the first of four games against the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers got to Twins starter Bailey Ober right away in the first, following the leadoff single and a walk with a base hit, another walk and a sacrifice fly to jump out to a 2-0 lead.

But Ober settled in from there and the Twins’ offense immediately answered back.

Minnesota’s team MVP this year, Willi Castro, led off the second with a home run to left and Kyle Farmer followed with a Little League homer to knot the score at 2.

Related: WATCH: Twins’ Kyle Farmer hits Little League home run against Rangers

From there, it was a pitching duel, with Ober and Rangers lefty Cody Bradford, as well as the bullpens, putting up scoreless frame after scoreless frame.

The Twins only had one hit over the final five innings but they remained patient and disciplined, working a total of six walks on the night. Eventually, that made the difference.

Matt Wallner and Manuel Margot each drew walks off Rangers reliever Kirby Yates in the ninth, then advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Finally, Carlos Santana ended a seven-pitch at-bat with a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Wallner and giving the Twins their first lead of the night, 3-2.

Jhoan Duran has struggled at times this season but looked great in the bottom-half of the frame, closing out the win with a 1-2-3 inning, including a pair of strikeouts.

The win brings the Twins within four games of Cleveland in the division and padded their lead to two games over the Royals for the second wild card spot.

The teams are back in action Friday night, with Simeon Woods Richardson (3-3, 3.78 ERA) slated to start for the Twins against another Rangers southpaw in Andrew Heaney (4-12, 4.05 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.