Orioles Woes Continue as Twins Extend Streak with Doubleheader Sweep
The Baltimore Orioles endured a tough afternoon at Camden Yards on Wednesday, dropping both games of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. With the wins, the Twins extended their winning streak to 10 games, the longest in Major League Baseball this season. The Orioles are now on the verge of being swept in back-to-back series by the red-hot Twins within a week, as Minnesota has a chance to complete a season sweep in Thursday’s finale. For Baltimore, the defeats were particularly frustrating, as they held leads in both games only to watch them slip away due to bullpen struggles and a lack of sustained offense.
In both contests, the Orioles’ offense erupted in the third inning, scoring three runs in the opener and six in the second game. Cedric Mullins delivered a grand slam, and Heston Kjerstad added a solo homer in Game Two, turning a 4-0 deficit into a 6-4 lead. However, after these explosive frames, Baltimore’s bats went silent, failing to score in the remaining innings of either game. Across the doubleheader, the Orioles plated nine runs in the third innings but were shut out over the other 16 frames, showcasing a stark illustration of the team’s inability to maintain offensive momentum against a resilient Minnesota pitching staff.
The biggest takeaway from the sweep is the Orioles’ bullpen woes and their inability to protect leads. In Game One, after jumping ahead 3-0, Baltimore surrendered four runs in the fourth inning, including a three-run homer by Christian Vázquez, and never recovered. In Game Two, the Orioles again lost a late lead when reliever Yennier Cano allowed a pivotal three-run homer to Kody Clemens in the eighth inning, turning a 6-5 advantage into an 8-6 defeat. Minnesota’s knack for late-inning rallies, combined with Baltimore’s bullpen faltering under pressure, proved decisive.
As the Orioles look ahead to Thursday’s series finale, they face the challenge of salvaging a game against a Twins team that has consistently outperformed them in critical moments. The recent series highlights the importance of bullpen stability and the need for more consistent offensive production beyond isolated big innings. Minnesota has taken advantage of nearly every Orioles mistake, whether it be a hanging pitch or a missed opportunity with runners on base. For Baltimore, regrouping quickly will be essential to avoid a season sweep and regain momentum as the season progresses, with growing calls for a managerial change as each week passes.
