'We never give up': Twins continue to show resilience in Texas 

ARLINGTON -- Willi Castro described it as a confidence that everybody has throughout the clubhouse. The Twins feel they should be able to win every game, regardless if they fall behind early.

“All the way through, we never give up,” Castro said. “We never give up.”

That is becoming more evident by the day, as the Twins rallied once again for a 5-2 victory over the Rangers on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.

Castro delivered the pivotal knock, ripping a two-run single -- with a third run scoring on a Rangers throwing error -- in the eighth to push the Twins to their 33rd come-from-behind victory of the season.

The Twins have won the first three games of this four-game series in comeback fashion and remain baseball’s best team since April 22, with a 63-40 record. Minnesota is now just two games back of Cleveland in the AL Central. This is a Twins team that began the month 6 1/2 games back of the division lead and has trimmed it by 4 1/2 games in 16 contests.

“It’s a confidence everybody has,” Castro said. “Everybody is playing really good -- the hitters, the pitchers. I just think the team that we have is [built] to win games like this.”

The Twins were trailing, 2-1, entering the eighth when the rally began. Edouard Julien and Christian Vázquez singled followed by Austin Martin laying down a bunt and beating the throw to first.

Martin’s infield single ended the night for Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi, who was replaced by David Robertson. Castro then roped a 1-0 cutter off Robertson to score Julien and Vázquez. A throwing error by Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras allowed Martin to score.

The Rangers, like most teams, were playing Castro to pull the ball from the left side, but he drilled it to the left side of second base for just his second career go-ahead base hit in the eighth inning or later.

“I just executed pretty good,” Castro said. “I got that pitch down and got a really good swing on it. When you have a really good swing, real good stuff happens.”

Good stuff continues to happen for the Twins, especially against the reigning World Series champions. They are now 5-1 against the Rangers this season.

“They’re a great hitting team. They put together good at-bats and they’ve got guys that can drive the ball,” Eovaldi said. “Again, right there toward the end, they fought off some good pitches and turned them into singles, and got the big hit at the end.”

For as good as the offense has been in clutch situations, the Twins’ pitching staff deserves credit too. In particular, the bullpen has allowed just one run over 11 innings in the first three games of the series.

On Saturday, three relievers combined for four scoreless innings, including two by right-hander Ronny Henriquez. Henriquez earned his first career win with the effort and received the lineup card and the ball from his final out as keepsakes from the game.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “Throughout my career, I’ve tried to achieve these things. For me to have the first win is something that makes me and my family really proud.”

Another pitcher who had no complaints was starter David Festa, who allowed two runs on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts over five innings. Festa now has a 2.45 ERA over his last four starts.

Festa’s numbers facing the lineup a second time through weren’t great once again on Saturday (3-for-9), but he capped his day with an impressive 1-2-3 fifth. Festa retired the top of the Rangers' order when they faced him a third time, striking out All-Stars Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, and then getting Nathaniel Lowe to ground out on a comebacker.

“Felt great. I thought the changeup was really good, no walks,” said Festa, the Twins’ No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline. “Today I’m happy I attacked those hitters and we got the win.”

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said it was another great victory for the team as they continue to find ways to win, especially close games.

“These games have been tough,” Baldelli said. “We won three games. It doesn't feel like we just walked out there and anything came easily. We had to work hard, but it was very satisfying walking off the field. The team really comes together in games like this and it feels good when you find a way. You're not really sure how you're going to do it, but you find a way.”