MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Max Kepler hit his second home run of the game, connecting for a solo drive with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Minnesota Twins bounced back from a late collapse to beat the Houston Astros 9-8 on Wednesday.
After the Twins blew an 8-1 lead, Kepler homered with two strikes off Brad Peacock (1-1).
Kepler hit a two-run homer to cap an eight-run fourth, an inning that included Eddie Rosario's bases-loaded triple.
A throwing error by second baseman Brian Dozier helped Houston tie it in the ninth. Down 8-6, the Astros loaded the bases with one out against Fernando Rodney. George Springer grounded into an RBI forceout, and the tying run scored when Dozier threw wide to first trying for a double play.
A series that had been marked by cold weather, walks and strikeouts finally saw a bit of offense after both starters faltered in the middle innings.
The first-pitch temperature was 44 degrees after starting in the 30s at night the previous two days. The teams combined for 32 walks and 60 strikeouts in the three-game series.
Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2) allowed a career-high eight runs in 3 2/3 innings for the Astros. He gave up seven hits, tied a career high with six walks and struck out six.
Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson couldn't take advantage of the big inning by the Twins' offense. The following half inning, the Astros scored four times and chased him.
After giving up one earned run in his first 10 1/3 innings this season, Gibson surrendered five runs as he walked four batters and gave up seven hits.
Houston's Alex Bregman had a career-high four hits, including his first homer of the season.
