The game was decided in the first inning. Isaac Paredes launched a two-run homer to left field, and that early burst carried Houston to a 2-1 victory over Minnesota at Target Field.
Jason Alexander earned his first win of the season, allowing no runs over six innings. The right-hander scattered four hits and struck out four while walking one. With a 7.30 ERA, Alexander needed this performance.
Paredes homered to left in the first inning, scoring Peña for the 2-0 lead. Minnesota answered in the eighth when Bell singled to right, bringing Buxton home to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Zebby Matthews took his first loss despite a solid effort, allowing 2 runs over six innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Bryan Abreu closed out the ninth for his third save of the season.
Bell finished 3-for-4 with one RBI and is two home runs away from 200 for his career. Paredes, who went 1-for-4 with the homer and two RBIs, sits three home runs shy of 100. Houston snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 19-30, while Minnesota fell to 22-26.