There were no large leads to overcome earlier today as the Twins and Orioles played a close game, with the Os ending up with the 3-2 win. The team trailing was never far behind, but the Twins ultimately could not do a repeat performance of last night.
The Twins got on the board first via a Mark Redmond RBI double in the 1st. Alexi Casilla would drive in a run in the 5th to tie it at 2, and later be on 3rd, but could not be brought home. That would be all the offense the Twins could generate, despite totaling 12 hits. The team had a chance to tie in the 8th with a runner in scoring position and 2 outs, but yesterday’s hero Joe Mauer grounded out to snuff that chance.
Scott Baker, in his 1st start since coming off the DL, pitched 5 innings. His only mistake was a 2 run homer he gave up to Nick Markakis in the 3rd. The decisive run was a solo shot Brian Bass surrendered to Adam Jones in the 7th. Otherwise the bullpen was effective in keeping the Twins in the game.
These kinds of games are always downers. Being so close to a win, yet not being able to achieve it is not exactly encouraging. The Twins played a good game, it was just due to a few mistakes that put the game away for the Orioles. The team now embarks on a 10 game road trip that pits them against the White Sox and Indians and features the resumption of Interleage play as the Twins visit the Brewers.
