Sat Mar 28 19:30:00 UTC 2026: ### Orioles Edge Twins in Opening Day Pitching Duel
The Story:
The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Minnesota Twins 2-1 in their opening day matchup on Thursday at Camden Yards. Trevor Rogers, coming off a stellar 2025 season, pitched seven shutout innings, while Colton Cowser and Blaze Alexander provided the game-winning RBIs in the seventh. Joe Ryan of the Twins matched Rogers’ brilliance for much of the game, but the Orioles’ bullpen faltered slightly, allowing the Twins to score a run in the eighth. Ryan Helsley closed out the game for the Orioles with a strikeout in the ninth.
Key Points:
- Trevor Rogers pitched 7 shutout innings for the Orioles.
- Colton Cowser and Blaze Alexander had RBI singles in the 7th inning.
- Joe Ryan allowed 1 hit and 2 walks over 5 1/3 innings for the Twins.
- Craig Albernaz secured a win in his managerial debut for the Orioles.
- Pete Alonso went 0 for 3 in his Orioles debut after signing a five-year contract.
- Byron Buxton tripled and scored for the Twins in the 8th inning.
Key Takeaways:
- Trevor Rogers’ dominant performance suggests he is a key player for the Orioles in 2026.
- The Orioles’ ability to capitalize on the Twins’ bullpen struggles proved decisive.
- Craig Albernaz’s successful managerial debut signals a potential positive change for the Orioles after a disappointing 2025 season.
- Pete Alonso’s debut performance suggests that he may need some time to adjust to his new team.
- Byron Buxton’s return and immediate impact is a positive sign for the Twins.
First Piper 