Twins Defeat Orioles Behind Royce Lewis' Homer

Minnesota's pitching staff combines for 16 strikeouts in the win.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:55am

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Royce Lewis hit a two-run home run and the Minnesota Twins won for the first time under first-year manager Derek Shelton, beating the host Baltimore Orioles 4-1 on Saturday. Six Minnesota pitchers combined on a five-hitter while striking out 16 batters and walking six.

Why it matters

The Twins' victory over the Orioles marks an important early-season win for the team under new leadership, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign. The game also showcased Minnesota's pitching depth, with six different hurlers contributing to the win.

The details

Twins starter Taj Bradley struck out nine in 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits. Anthony Banda (1-0) was the winning pitcher with two-thirds of an inning of relief, and Cole Sands recorded the save. Orioles starter Kyle Bradish (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits in 4 2/3 innings.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • It was the second game of the season-opening series between the Twins and Orioles.

The players

Royce Lewis

A Twins outfielder who hit a two-run home run in the game.

Derek Shelton

The Twins' first-year manager.

Taj Bradley

The Twins' starting pitcher, who struck out nine batters in 4 1/3 innings.

Anthony Banda

The Twins' relief pitcher who earned the win.

Kyle Bradish

The Orioles' starting pitcher, who took the loss.

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What they’re saying

“Royce Lewis' home run was a big boost for us today. He's been swinging the bat well, and that blast gave us the lead we needed to get the win.”

— Derek Shelton, Twins Manager

What’s next

The Twins and Orioles will conclude their season-opening series on Sunday, March 30, 2026.

The takeaway

The Twins' victory over the Orioles demonstrates the team's pitching depth and the impact of Royce Lewis' power bat, providing an encouraging start to the season under new manager Derek Shelton.