Twins top Angels 6-4 thanks to big hits from Lee and Lewis, bullpen's efforts

For just the second time in their past seven tries, the Minnesota Twins got a series win on Wednesday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 behind a near-grand slam from Royce Lewis.

The win keeps Minnesota three games ahead of the hard-charging Detroit Tigers for the third and final wild card spot in the American League.

Twins starter Zebby Matthews, like his fellow rookie pitcher David Festa two days earlier, had a short night, giving up five hits and two walks but just two runs across 3.1 innings. Fortunately, Minnesota’s bullpen and offense picked him up.

Cole Sands got through the fourth, Caleb Thielbar got two outs, Jorge Alcala tossed 1.1 innings, Griffin Jax went two innings for the first time this season and Jhoan Duran closed out the win in the ninth.

Offensively, Matt Wallner got the Twins on the board with a first-inning solo shot. In the fourth, Twins got base hits from Carlos Santana and Trevor Larnach to start the inning before Lewis was called out on strikes, continuing his slump. However, Willi Castro came through with an RBI single and Brooks Lee brought home two more to give the Twins a 4-2 lead.

The Angels made it a one-run game with their third homer of the night in the sixth, but in the seventh, Lewis came up in his favorite spot.

With bases loaded and two down, Lewis roped a sinker to left-center for what looked like his sixth career grand slam. Unfortunately, replay determined the ball didn’t get over the wall and it was changed to a two-run double, but that still proved to be the game-winning hit.

Related: Twins’ Royce Lewis narrowly misses grand slam vs. Angels

The Twins now get their first day off since Aug. 29, two weeks ago, on Thursday before opening a series against the Cincinnati Reds at Target Field on Friday. Bailey Ober (12-6, 3.77 ERA) is expected to start the series-opener against a yet-to-be-named pitched. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.