Angels Snap Five‑Game Skid With 4‑3 Win Over Twins

Game Recap

Los Angeles broke a five‑game losing streak at Target Field with a 4‑3 victory over Minnesota on Friday night. Vaughn Grissom powered the Angels with a two‑for‑three night that included a home run and two RBI. The win lifted the struggling Angels out of their recent slump, though they still sit atop the worst record in the majors.

Grayson Rodriguez earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits over five and one‑third innings. Kirby Yates recorded his third save of the season by shutting down the Twins in the ninth. Minnesota’s starter Zebby Matthews took the loss after allowing four runs and nine hits in six frames.

Offensive Highlights

Angels hitters generated most of the offense in short bursts. Grissom’s solo shot in the fourth inning jumped the scoreboard, and Jorge Soler followed with a double that later crossed on a balk by Matthews, giving LA a 2‑1 edge. Nolan Schanuel sparked a five‑run burst in the fifth with four consecutive singles, leading to a sacrifice fly by Grissom that pushed the Angels ahead 4‑1.

Wade Meckler and Tyler Heineman each collected two hits, while Schanuel’s singles sparked the early rally. The Angels also got a run‑scoring double from Trevor Larnach in the first inning and a sacrifice fly from Kody Clemens that capped the early advantage.

Defensive Struggles

The Twins managed to stay within striking distance thanks to timely hits from Brooks Lee and Josh Bell, each going two‑for‑four with a double. Austin Martin delivered an RBI groundout in the sixth that cut the deficit to one, and Ryan Jeffers’ double in the seventh set up a late‑inning threat. Samy Natera Jr., however, nailed down the final out to preserve the 4‑3 margin.

Minnesota’s ability to hang around despite five runs allowed highlights both their offensive persistence and the Angels’ defensive lapses throughout the game.

Context and Trends

Despite the win, the Angels remain the worst team in the league after dropping eight of their last ten contests. Minnesota’s recent dominance over Los Angeles is evident, as the Twins are 10‑4 with a plus‑41 run differential in their last 14 games against the Angels dating back to September 2023. This series underscores the parity between the two clubs at different points of the season.

The Angels’ road to improving their record will begin on Saturday, when right‑handers Ryan Johnson (1‑4, 6.99 ERA) and Joe Ryan (6‑5, 2.85 ERA) square off in the second game of a three‑game set.

Next Steps

fans can expect another tight contest as Johnson looks to shake off his lofty ERA against a Twins lineup that thrives on speed and lineup depth. The series continues with the remaining games likely shaping each team’s playoff hopes as the calendar flips toward the summer stretch.