HOUSTON _ Eddie Rosario's clutch hit in the sixth inning on Saturday was recorded as a two-run double to right. But its path to freedom included twists and turns and a fortuitous deflection.
Somehow, Rosario's bouncer got by a lunging pitcher and a sprawling former Gold Glove-winning second baseman before making its way to the outfield to become the biggest hit of the series for the Twins as they pulled off a 4-2 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. It snapped a seven-game losing streak to Houston going back to last season.
Rosario's hit broke a 2-2 tie to breathe life into a Twins offense that has spent two days stranding runners on base, often with the bases loaded. Now the Twins are in position to win the three-game series on Sunday.
It also made right-hander Ervin Santana's effort stand up, and he twice pitched his way out of bases loaded jams while improving to 11-6. Brandon Kintzler hit a batter in the ninth but still earned his 25th save.
The series could be different if someone in the visitors' dugout would play their clutch cards right.
Houston looked unstoppable on Friday when it raced to a 10-1 lead. But the Twins got within 10-5 and had two shots with the bases loaded to get even closer but failed to deliver.
Their lack of delivery carried into Saturday. Brian Dozier hit his second leadoff homer in as many nights, but Houston scored runs in the second and third to take a 2-1 lead. Then the shenanigans with the fruitless at bats started all over again.
The first two batters in the fourth reached base, but Max Kepler hit into a fielder's choice then both Robbie Grossman and Rosario struck out to end the inning.
The Twins then loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth. They actually scored a run here _ as Zack Granite hit into a double play. Joe Mauer struck out to end the inning.
Then came the sixth, when Miguel Sano walked before Max Kepler and Grossman singled to load the bases, the fifth time it has occurred in the series. At that point, the Twins were 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position in the game, 3 for 22 in the series.
Musgrove was replaced by left-hander Tony Sipp as Rosario dug in. Rosario tapped an 0-2 slider to the second base side of the pitcher's mound. Sipp reached for the ball but it deflected off his glove and toward the spot where the second baseman normally plays. Jose Altuve took off to his right at the crack of the bat but had to stop and lunge left after the deflection.
Altuve sprawled on the dirt has he reached for the ball, but it squirted by him and into right field. Two runs scored as Rosario raced to second with the unconventional double that gave the Twins a 4-2 lead.
Rosario was 2 for 4 in the game to raise his batting average to .289.
Santana held Houston to just five hits in six innings but walked five as he tried to be careful with a dangerous Houston lineup. Tyler Duffey got the first two outs of the seventh before loading the bases on two singles and a walk. Taylor Rogers replaced him and got Yuli Gurriel to hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Rogers has been a machine. He has a 0.54 ERA in 15 appearances since June 1 and has stranded 18 of 20 inherited runners on base.
