Orioles Defeat Twins in Low-Scoring Opening Day Matchup

Neither team scored until the 7th inning, but Baltimore held on for a 2-1 victory.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:36am

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The Baltimore Orioles won their fourth consecutive season opener on Thursday, defeating the Minnesota Twins 2-1 in a low-scoring affair. Neither team scored until the 7th inning, when Colton Cowser's sacrifice fly and Blaze Alexander's RBI single gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead. The Twins responded with a run in the 7th, but could not complete the comeback.

Why it matters

The Orioles are looking to build on their success from last season, when they made an unexpected run to the playoffs. This Opening Day victory sets the tone for what they hope will be another strong campaign.

The details

Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and four walks while striking out five. Twins starter Joe Ryan was also impressive, giving up only one hit and two walks over 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts. The Orioles' bullpen was able to hold off the Twins' late rally to secure the win.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
  • The Orioles scored both of their runs in the 7th inning.

The players

Colton Cowser

An Orioles outfielder who drove in the team's first run with a sacrifice fly in the 7th inning.

Blaze Alexander

An Orioles infielder who recorded an RBI single in the 7th inning to give Baltimore a 2-0 lead.

Trevor Rogers

The Orioles' starting pitcher, who threw seven scoreless innings and earned the win.

Joe Ryan

The Twins' starting pitcher, who had a strong outing despite the loss.

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What they’re saying

“It was a hard-fought game on both sides, but we were able to come out on top thanks to some timely hitting and solid pitching.”

— Brandon Hyde, Orioles Manager

What’s next

The Orioles will look to build on this win when they take the field again on Saturday, with Kyle Bradish scheduled to start on the mound.

The takeaway

The Orioles' victory in their season opener demonstrates their ability to win close, low-scoring games - a valuable skill that could serve them well throughout the long MLB season.