--- title: "Bradley's 11 Ks, three-homer barrage sink Astros" description: "Taj Bradley dominated with a career-high 11 strikeouts while Josh Bell, Kody Clemens, and Luke Keaschall mashed as the Twins handed Houston an 8-3 loss." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/taj-bradley-fans-11-in-twins-8-3-win-over-the-astros-23dbafe5 published: 2026-07-02T17:27:54.609+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T17:27:54.609+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Bradley's 11 Ks, three-homer barrage sink Astros > Taj Bradley dominated with a career-high 11 strikeouts while Josh Bell, Kody Clemens, and Luke Keaschall mashed as the Twins handed Houston an 8-3 loss. Taj Bradley tied his career high with 11 strikeouts as the Minnesota Twins dismantled the Houston Astros 8-3 on Wednesday night. The right-hander allowed just three hits and two earned runs over seven innings, fanning 11 batters while walking none. His performance marked the first time he’s reached double-digit strikeouts since 2023 and underscored his emergence as Minnesota’s most reliable arm. The Astros, a perennial postseason threat, managed only three hits against Bradley, who struck out the side in the third inning. The Twins’ offense provided all the run support Bradley needed. Josh Bell led the charge with a two-run homer in the fourth, his 12th of the season, while Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall each went deep in the sixth to extend the lead to 6-2. Keaschall’s blast was his first career major-league home run, a two-run shot off Framber Valdez. Minnesota added two insurance runs in the eighth to seal the win. Houston’s lone bright spot came from José Altuve, who doubled and scored in the eighth, but the Astros managed just four hits total against Bradley and the Twins’ bullpen. The loss snapped Houston’s three-game winning streak and dropped them to 48-35 on the season. Bradley’s outing was the latest in a stretch of dominant performances that have Minnesota’s rotation humming. The Twins improved to 46-37 with the win, keeping pace in the AL Central. What makes Bradley’s line leap off the page is the zero walks. Combining 11 strikeouts with no free passes is a signature of an ace-level command. Against a patient Houston lineup that ranks top-five in walk rate, Bradley pounded the zone without paying for it. His ability to miss bats while avoiding damage underscores a maturation that could define Minnesota’s rotation down the stretch. The three-homer outburst also carried broader context. Framber Valdez entered with a 3.30 ERA and had allowed only 0.7 homers per nine innings. The Twins tagged him for three long balls in a single start — a feat only two teams have managed all year. Luke Keaschall’s first career homer, in particular, hinted at depth beyond the usual suspects. Minnesota’s offense, which sunk to 22nd in runs per game in June, appears to be awakening. The implications of this game stretch beyond just a single victory. With the postseason looming, the Twins are not just looking to clinch a playoff spot but also to establish themselves as a formidable contender. Bradley’s performance solidifies his role as a potential ace, which could be crucial in a playoff series where every inning counts. The offense’s resurgence, highlighted by contributions from both veterans and rookies, suggests that Minnesota could be rounding into form at the perfect time. Moreover, this win serves as a statement to the rest of the AL Central. The Twins have struggled with consistency this season, but this dominant performance against a strong opponent like Houston sends a message that they are not to be underestimated. The ability to perform under pressure, especially against a team with a playoff pedigree, could be the catalyst Minnesota needs to sustain momentum as the season progresses. What’s next: Bradley is slated to face the Seattle Mariners on Monday in a pivotal matchup as Minnesota looks to build on its recent surge. ## Why this matters Bradley’s strikeout surge signals Minnesota’s pitching staff is peaking at the right time. Against a team like Houston, which boasts one of the game’s most potent lineups, his ability to overpower hitters without issuing free passes is a blueprint for success. The Twins’ three-homer barrage—including a rookie’s first career dinger—shows their offense is finally clicking when it matters most. With the division race tightening, this win reinforces Minnesota’s status as a legitimate threat in the AL Central. ## Frequently asked ### How many strikeouts did Taj Bradley record against the Astros? Bradley struck out 11 batters, tying his career high, while allowing just three hits and two earned runs over seven innings. ### Which Twins players hit home runs in the game? Josh Bell, Kody Clemens, and Luke Keaschall each went deep for Minnesota, with Keaschall’s blast marking his first career MLB homer. ### What was the final score of the Twins vs. Astros game? The Minnesota Twins defeated the Houston Astros 8-3 in a lopsided contest on Wednesday night. ### How did the Astros perform offensively against Bradley? Houston managed just three hits and two runs off Bradley, with José Altuve providing their only extra-base hit in the eighth inning. ### What’s next for the Twins after this win? Minnesota is set to face the Seattle Mariners on Monday, a game that could further solidify their position in the AL Central race. ## Sources & Citations - [Taj Bradley fans 11 in Twins' 8-3 win over the Astros](http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401815987) — ESPN (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Bradley's 11 Ks, three-homer barrage sink Astros. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/taj-bradley-fans-11-in-twins-8-3-win-over-the-astros-23dbafe5