HOUSTON (Interstat) — Zebby Matthews allowed one earned run over seven innings and the Minnesota Twins held off the Houston Astros 5-4 on Monday night at Daikin Park. Matthews struck out seven, walked none and scattered four hits to improve to 4-5. Yoendrys Gómez recorded his ninth save despite surrendering a run in the ninth.

Minnesota took control with two runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth. Josh Bell hit a two-run homer in the sixth, his 10th, scoring Brooks Lee. Victor Caratini also homered. Kody Clemens added an RBI groundout in the seventh.

Houston trailed 5-1 before mounting a late charge. Taylor Trammell hit a two-run homer in the ninth, his third, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Cam Smith went 2-for-4 with two solo homers, but the rally fell short.

Peter Lambert took the loss, allowing four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. Miguel Ullola contributed two scoreless innings with four strikeouts. The Twins outhit Houston 8-6. Attendance was 22,969. Time of game was 2:44. Minnesota improved to 41-45; Houston fell to 42-45.