Baltimore Orioles: Twins Complete Sweep For First Time Since 2007

Bad Bud Norris was back again for the Baltimore Orioles as the Minnesota Twins completed the three-game sweep with a 5-3 win on Wednesday afternoon. The sweep was the first against the Twins since a four-game set from Aug. 23-27, 2007, at Camden Yards.

The Twins were led by Brian Dozier, one of the contestants for the fan vote for the final spot on the American League All-Star team. The second basemen had two hits and two steals, and moved into a tie for the most runs in baseball with 64 following his go-ahead home run against the Orioles.

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It was not a sharp start for Jimenez, allowing seven hits and three walks, but had his team in position to win when he left the ballgame. The Orioles’ right-hander was able to escape a bases loaded jam in the first inning and left Minnesota 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched five innings of shutout baseball, and has allowed just one run in 20 innings over his last three starts.

Norris came on to pitch the bottom of the sixth and that is when things blew up for the Orioles. Norris gave up the go-ahead two-run homer to Dozier. Joe Mauer followed it up with a solo blast of his own to give the Twins a 3-1 lead.

Chaz Roe gave up two more runs in the seventh that proved to be pivotal. Roe has been getting knocked around quite a bit as of late, giving up eight hits and three walks for six runs in his last four appearances. It is uncommon for the Orioles bullpen to allow many runs, as they statistically rank as one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.

Tommy Milone was impressive in the start for the Twins, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in seven innings of work. The lefty has not lost since April 27.

Baltimore tried to keep it close with back-to-back solo bombs by Manny Machado and Chris Davis off reliever Casey Fien to lead off the eighth, but that is all the Orioles could muster on the day as the Birds lost for eighth time in ten games.

Machado has been swinging a hot bat as of late, and will need to keep that home run swing going. It was announced after the game that he will take part in this year’s Home Run Derby. He will face off against Dodgers outfielder Joc Peterson in the first round.

The Orioles promoted Christian Walker from Triple-A Norfolk before the contest, and he started as the designated hitter for the ball club on Wednesday. He singled and drew a walk in three plate appearances, but was optioned back down to the Tides immediately after the game as Buck Showalter continues to manipulate his every day roster. A corresponding move will likely be made tomorrow.

The Orioles are off tomorrow before starting the rivalry series known as the “Battle of Beltway” against the Washington Nationals. Chris Tillman will get the start for the Orioles, while the Birds wait to hear from Nationals manager Matt Williams who will pitch this weekend’s series against the Orioles.

#Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters he knows this weekend's pitchers against #Orioles but won't reveal them until tomorrow.
— Rich DubroffMLB (@RichDubroffMLB) July 8, 2015

It is most likely to be Tanner Roark on the mound for the Nationals, but we will let Mr. Williams have his fun for the time being. The series will be the last for the two teams before the All-Star break for everyone, except the Orioles four All-Stars.

It should be a fun weekend ahead in Baltimore.

Next: Orioles Pitching Staff Rankings

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