Twins 9, Rangers 3: Lee Homers in Four-Run First, Ryan Shuts Down Texas

The lead

June 18, 2026 - Arlington - Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer in a four-run first inning, Trevor Larnach added a two-run shot, and the Minnesota Twins completed a three-game sweep with a 9-3 win over the Texas Rangers, per the Associated Press recap on CBS Sports.

Minnesota finished second on the Thursday team board at 24 FP in AthX Engine scoring.

How the game turned

Lee's 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna.

The Twins scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game and never trailed in the sweep. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any AL opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.

Pitching and matchup notes

Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven in five scoreless innings on three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth and has allowed 17 runs while losing three straight starts.

Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran, and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for Texas, which is 0-15 when allowing multiple first-inning runs.

Bats that changed the board

Ryan's 22 FP and Lee's 12 FP paced the effort. AthX Engine graded Minnesota at 24 team FP.

AthX Engine fantasy angle

AthX Engine rewards first-inning crooked numbers paired with a quality start. Ryan's five-inning shutout and Lee's three-run homer register on separate daily leaderboards from dynamic pricing.

What comes next

The Twins opened a series Friday at Arizona. Texas hosted San Diego with Jacob deGrom on the mound.

*Sources: MLB.com schedule, CBS Sports/AP recap, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*