Angels 7, Twins 4: Berrios’ struggles continue

Jose Berrios’ breaking ball wasn’t working, and the offense wasn’t able to compensate enough, as the Los Angeles Angels snagged a 7-4 victory over the Twins on Thursday night.

The Twins young ace, who has struggled ever since the team’s Puerto Rico trip, did not return to form out west. Ian Kinsler teed off on a hanging curve with a man on in the second, then Justin Upton teed off harder on another hanging curve in the third to make the score 3-0. Back-to-back doubles from Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani made it 4-0 later in the third.

The Minnesota offense was hamstrung by Angels starter Garrett Richards through the first five innings, scratching out two hits and making it look like the game would end at a Central Time Zone-friendly hour.

That did not happen, as the Twins stroked some power dongs in the sixth. Brian Dozier’s 3-run jack chased Richards from the game, and Max Kepler followed it with a solo bomb off Jose Alvarez.

With the game tied, Berrios followed it up with an out and a single, and he was done. Ryan Pressley entered and didn’t help so much, allowing two runs to score on a wild pitch/sac fly/double combo.

Ohtani made the lead 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh with a gorgeous dong to left-center, and that is how the game ended.

BUXTON: He had two ugly strikeouts and a good walk. The outfield defense couldn’t have kept any of the home runs in the park.

STUDS: Kinsler, Dozier, Ohtani

DUDS: Berrios

Enjoy your Friday, everyone.