Twins left with series loss after Astros rally

HOUSTON -- Tyler Duffey's solid start in his hometown was ruined by a collapse by Minnesota's bullpen.

Jed Lowrie hit a grand slam in a five-run seventh inning and Dallas Keuchel became the American League's first 17-game winner as the Houston Astros rallied for a 8-5 victory over the Twins on Sunday.

Duffey, who was born in Houston and went to Rice, yielded six hits and two runs with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

The Astros had a double in the third and hit leadoff doubles in both the fifth and sixth innings, but didn't have more than one hit in an inning off Duffey through six.

Carlos Gomez got things going in the seventh with a single with one out before a two-out single by Luis Valbuena chased Duffey. He was replaced by Trevor May, who walked pinch-hitter Preston Tucker to load the bases. Jose Altuve hit a dribbler to third baseman Trevor Plouffe and narrowly beat the throw to first for a RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1.

Lowrie then hit his second career grand slam and his first since 2009 into the second row in right field off May (8-9) to make it 5-2.

"It's one of those things, he's just been dominant," Duffey said of May. "Sometimes it just happens."

May dropped his head when Lowrie connected and shook it as he bounded around the bases and into a celebration at home plate.

"In short I blew it," May said. "I'm looking forward to another chance to get out there."

It was a rare bad outing for May, who entered Sunday having allowed just one run in 17 relief appearances since July 25 with a 0.59 ERA and 23 strikeouts.

"He's been so good," manager Paul Molitor said. "It's hard to find fault. He comes in, we tried to get four outs out of him today. I don't know if he was over-amped or what."

Keuchel (17-6) improved to 13-0 at home this season and set a franchise record with his 14th straight win in Houston dating back to last season. He allowed five hits, three runs and struck out 12 in eight innings.

The bullpen collapse ruined a solid start for Twins starter Tyler Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar and Aaron Hicks each hit a solo home run for the Twins, who have dropped three of their last four games.

Jake Marisnick padded Houston's lead with a three-run shot in the eighth inning.

The Twins added two runs in the ninth off Chad Qualls before Luke Gregerson got the final out for his 26th save.

The victory salvaged a series win for the AL West-leading Astros, who begin a key 10-game road trip against teams in the division on Monday.

Lowrie is starting to heat up after struggling for a bit after returning on July 30 following a three-month stint on the disabled list after thumb surgery. He was in a 0-for-28 slump before starting a current season-high six-game hitting streak where he has three homers, four doubles and seven RBI.

Keuchel retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced before Dozier sent the first pitch of the fourth inning into the seats in left field to make it 1-0. The Twins pushed the lead to 2-0 on Escobar's homer with one out in the fifth.

Tommy Milone (7-4, 3.60) opposes Kansas City's Yordano Ventura (10-7, 4.24) when the Twins open a three-game series against the Royals on Monday. Milone is 1-0 with a 4.24 ERA in three starts against the Royals this season.