MINNEAPOLIS -- David Freese was mired in an 0-for-21 slump and looking nothing like the sensation that helped his hometown St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in 2011. Truthfully, he hasn't looked like that player for some time.

On Thursday night against Minnesota, Freese showed a glimmer of that rising star, which is why Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia keeps running him out there day after day.

Freese had two doubles and an RBI and pinch-hitter Chris Iannetta's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning lifted the Angels to a 5-4 victory over the Twins.

Freese's second double was a rocket into the left field corner off of All-Star closer Glen Perkins to lead off the ninth inning. John McDonald bunted pinch-runner Tony Campana over and Iannetta lifted a fly ball to left to get him in, helping the Angels bounce back from a two-game sweep in Houston.

Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar each had two hits and an RBI and Huston Street earned his 36th save in 38 chances to give the Angels a five-game lead in the AL West over Oakland.

Eduardo Nunez hit a three-run homer and Kyle Gibson shrugged off a poor fourth inning to go seven for the Twins.

 

Eduardo Nunez, Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Angels
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The Angels put four on the board in the fourth inning, aided by a fielding mishap from the Twins on a double by Kendrick. Left fielder Jordan Schafer fielded the ball off the wall and threw it to second base, but no one was there to catch it. That allowed a run to score and the Angels tacked on a couple more to make it 4-0.

Hector Santiago gave up four runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings for Los Angeles. Joe Smith (6-2) pitched one inning for the win, and Street nailed down his 12th save since arriving from San Diego in a trade.

Gibson gave up four runs and seven hits.

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