Orioles 8, Twins 6: Un-Abel to take the opening series

BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 29: Shane Baz #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 29, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images Despite collecting twelve hits and plating six runs, the Minnesota Twins could not finish off an Opening Series victory in Baltimore this afternoon. Battles against the robots (ABS) and a shaky appearance from Mick Abel were the primary culprits in defeat.

Twins bats quickly built a second-inning rally: Matt Wallner 1B, Josh Bell HBP (Wally was probably jealous), and Victor Caratini 1B. With everyone expecting the worst—Twins, bases loaded, you get the picture—Trevor Larnach poked an infield single to keep the merry-go-round moving. After Royce Lewis whiffed, new Twin Tristan Gray cleared the bases—and was somehow throw out on them—with an RBI knock into the gap.

No one really saw it because some combination of mice, squirrels, and/or Dan Gladden were chewing on the TwinsTV video cables. So, sort of a Schrodinger’s 4-0 lead! Twins SP Bailey Ober was solid—with multiple 90+ mph heaves—through three innings, but ran into trouble in B4.

With two Orioles on base, Tyler O’Neill bashed one 109 mph at a 27 degree launch angle. Meaning: now just a 4-3 advantage. Piggy-backing off Ober’s 4 IP, Mick Abel entered and looked great in B5—recording two Ks.