With the winning run at third base and two outs in the ninth inning Saturday afternoon, the Twins had a strategy visit at the mound with closer Jhoan Duran. That allowed Astros rookie Cam Smith, who was due up next,

Minnesota center fielder Byron Buxton has been scratched from the lineup a day after being hit on the left elbow by a pitch.

The Twins’ 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Astros at Daikin Park on Sunday reflected what has been a scuffling Minnesota offense. One exception: Brooks Lee, who homered as part of a 3-for-4 day that extended the Major Leagues’ longest active hitting streak to 15 games.