Twins 4, Orioles 1: Royce and the Bois Make Some Noyce
Mar 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (23) greeted by coach Ramon Borrego (46) after connecting on a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images The Twins only tallied four hits — fewer than in their season-opening loss — but were able to manufacture four runs against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Combined with a strong performance from Shelton’s Magical Arm Barn, and Minnesota was able to earn their first win of the 2026 season, a 4-1 victory that evens the weekend series.
The bullpen had to cover 4. 2 innings today, not due to poor performance by Taj Bradley, but high pitch count. It took Bradley 92 pitchers to work through 4.
1 IP, during which he walked three O’s but struck out nine and only allowed three hits. The lone Orioles run was charged to Bradley during a second-inning stretch that saw Colton Cowser double and score on a Jeremiah Jackson ground ball single. After that, it was a necessarily dominant performance by the pen.
This afternoon’s game saw the Twins debut of Anthony Banda (0. 2 IP, BB, 2 K) and Eric Orze (1. 1 IP, BB), part of a quintet of relievers who kept Baltimore completely off the board.
Kody Funderburk created a jam for himself, allowing the only two hits surrendered by Minnesota relief today, but struck out a pair of O’s and kept the home team from cashing in on a sixth-inning threat. It may not be the most telling move in the world, but I still found it notable that in a reliever-heavy game, Cole Sands was reserved for the ninth. The Twins broke camp with a “closer by committee,” but to some degree, I wouldn’t be surprised if that situation works itself out over the first two months of the season.