Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – A promising four-run cushion wasn’t enough for the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, as the Baltimore Orioles rallied for an 8-6 victory at Camden Yards, taking two of three in the opening series of the 2026 season and dropping Minnesota to 1-2.
The Twins jumped on Orioles starter Shane Baz early, plating four runs in the second inning to grab control. Tristan Gray was a bright spot in the lineup, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI, while Josh Bell added a pair of doubles and scored twice. Royce Lewis provided the marquee moment with a solo home run, and Trevor Larnach chipped in with an RBI double as well.
But Minnesota couldn’t hold the lead. Bailey Ober, making his first start of the season, surrendered three earned runs over four innings, allowing Baltimore to claw back into the game. The floodgates opened when Mick Abel took over in relief. The right-hander was charged with the loss after getting battered for five runs on eight hits over just 3⅓ innings, walking three and failing to escape the sixth. Tyler O’Neill delivered the decisive blow for Baltimore — a three-run homer that gave the Orioles the lead for good.
Rico Garcia earned the win in relief, and Ryan Helsley closed it out in the ninth for the save.
The Twins finished with 12 hits but left 13 runners on base in scoring position, going just 4-for-13 in those situations — a costly inefficiency that ultimately decided the game.
Minnesota now heads to Kansas City to face the Royals, with Simeon Woods Richardson scheduled to take the mound this afternoon for the series opener at 3:10 PM CDT.