Castro, Springer power Astros past Twins, 6-4

HOUSTON-Jason Castro and George Springer hit homers and the Houston Astros held on for a 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Castro hit his first homer of the year to lead off the three-run third inning, and Springer hit a shot that bounced off the railroad tracks in left field and out of the stadium to cap the three-run fourth.

Castro's home run was knocked down by a fan and never made it over the wall into the Crawford Boxes, but it was called a homer, and after a lengthy review, it was confirmed.

Jose Altuve and Springer walked after Castro's blast before Carlos Correa knocked an RBI double and Alex Meyer (0-1) uncorked a wild pitch to score Springer and give the Astros a 3-2 lead.

Carlos Gomez, who was out of the lineup the last three games with a sore rib cage, had two doubles and scored on a balk by Tommy Milone to make it 4-2 before Springer's sixth home run of the year.

Collin McHugh (3-3) gave up four runs and seven hits with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander won his second straight start after losing three of his first four outings.

Houston's bullpen pitched 3 1-3 hitless innings, capped by Luke Gregerson's perfect ninth that earned him his sixth save.

Danny Santana led off the game with a home run off the right field foul pole. It was his third career leadoff homer but first since July 31, 2014. Byung Ho Park hit an opposite-field upper deck solo home run in the sixth to cut the lead to 6-4.

Joe Mauer extended the Twins' lead to 2-0 with an RBI groundout in the third. Brian Dozier had an RBI single in the fifth.

Meyer, who was making the first start of his career, lasted just 2 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and three hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: 3B Trevor Plouffe (right intercostal strain) was activated from the 15-day DL before the game and started. He went 0 for 4. . RHP Ervin Santana (lower back strain) threw a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday. Santana looked good and would likely come off the DL and start Saturday, manager Paul Molitor said, adding that Santana would likely be on a pitch count for the start.

Astros: RHP Lance McCullers (right shoulder soreness) will throw a bullpen Wednesday and should go out on a rehab assignment Saturday for Triple-A Fresno at El Paso, manager A.J. Hinch said. . C Max Stassi (left wrist surgery) began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Fresno.

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Phil Hughes (1-4) will look to rebound from his last start where he was tagged for four runs in five innings when he takes the mound Wednesday in the finale of the series.

Astros: RHP Mike Fiers (2-1) will try to put another good start together Wednesday after allowing two runs in seven innings Friday.

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