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The storm clouds that hovered over the ballpark only intensified the drama as the Minnesota Twins delivered a statement win, powered by Josh Bell’s explosive night at the plate. In a game disrupted by nearly two hours of rain and lightning, Bell’s bat provided all the electricity needed, launching two home runs and driving in four runs to sink the Houston Astros 6-3 on Monday night.

RAIN HALTS MOMENTUM, BUT NOT THE TWINS’ EDGE
The contest took a dramatic turn in the bottom of the fifth inning with Minnesota leading 3-0 when severe weather forced a 1 hour and 57 minute delay due to rain and lightning. The pause threatened to shift momentum, but Minnesota returned sharper, steadier, and more determined to close the job.

BELL’S BRUTAL POWER DISPLAY SETS THE TONE
Josh Bell wasted no time establishing control of the night. He homered in the second inning to open the scoring, then struck again in the fourth with a two-run blast off Astros starter Tatsuya Imai (1-2), sending another ball deep to left field. It marked the 12th multi-homer game of Bell’s 11-year career, underscoring a vintage power performance when it mattered most.

After play resumed following the weather delay, Bell stayed locked in. In the sixth inning, he added an RBI single to bring his total to four runs driven in, sealing his status as the night’s defining force.

EARLY BASEBALL DRAMA AND ROUGH ASTROS START
Houston briefly threatened in the opening inning against Minnesota’s Kendry Rojas, who opened the game as a reliever and worked into a surprise four-inning outing. Rojas loaded the bases with two walks and a single before recording an out, putting immediate pressure on Minnesota.

But the rookie escaped disaster with poise, forcing an infield fly and a double play to end the threat without damage. Rojas finished with two hits allowed and three strikeouts in his first career start. He debuted on April 22 and has now made three relief appearances.

BULLPEN STEADIES MINNESOTA THROUGH FINAL INNINGS
Eric Orze (2-1) delivered 1 1/3 scoreless innings to keep Houston contained, while Taylor Rogers closed the door by recording the final two outs to secure his first save of the season.

ASTROS TRY TO REBUILD AS INJURIES SHAKE LINEUP
The Astros welcomed back shortstop Jeremy Peña on Monday after he missed time with a right hamstring strain. Peña immediately returned to the leadoff spot and drew a walk in his first plate appearance since April 11.

Houston continues to battle through an injury-hit roster, beginning the series without José Altuve, who was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain, further thinning their offensive core.

UP NEXT: PITCHING MATCHUP LOOMS
Houston will send RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (2-3, 6.86 ERA) to the mound Tuesday, riding momentum from winning two of his last three starts. Minnesota counters with RHP Zebby Matthews (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who impressed in his debut by tossing seven scoreless innings in his first outing of the season.