Royce Lewis homer, Twins bullpen lift Minnesota past Orioles 4-1 for first 2026 win

Twins even opening series in Baltimore as Orioles strand chances late

The Minnesota Twins secured their first victory of the 2026 season Saturday, March 28, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The win evened the three-game opening series at one game apiece and moved both clubs to 1-1.

Minnesota’s offense centered on a decisive swing from Royce Lewis, who hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Lewis finished 1-for-3 with the home run, two runs batted in, and a stolen base as the Twins produced four runs on four hits while playing error-free defense.

How the game was decided

Baltimore struck first in the second inning, scoring the game’s opening run on an RBI single by Jackson Holliday that brought home Colton Cowser. Minnesota answered in the fourth, when Josh Bell lifted a sacrifice fly that scored Byron Buxton to tie the game.

The turning point came one inning later. After Trevor Larnach reached and advanced into scoring position, Lewis drove a pitch to left for a two-run homer, giving the Twins a 3-1 lead. Minnesota added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single by Kody Clemens that scored Lewis.

• Second inning: Orioles lead 1-0 on Holliday’s RBI single.

• Fourth inning: Twins tie it 1-1 on Bell’s sacrifice fly.

• Fifth inning: Lewis’ two-run homer puts Minnesota ahead 3-1.

• Seventh inning: Clemens’ RBI single extends the lead to 4-1.

Pitching: early exit, then relievers take over

Minnesota starter Taj Bradley worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts over 92 pitches. With Bradley departing in the fifth, the Twins leaned on their bullpen to protect the lead across the final 4 2/3 innings.

Reliever Anthony Banda was credited with the win after recording two outs in the fifth. Cole Sands closed the ninth to earn the save. On Baltimore’s side, starter Kyle Bradish took the loss after 4 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Context and what’s next

The Orioles finished with five hits and committed one error, while the Twins generated four hits and did not commit an error. Attendance was announced at 26,057, and the game lasted 2 hours, 57 minutes.

Series status: tied 1-1, with the finale scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Baltimore.

Baltimore will look to regroup offensively after scoring one run Saturday, while Minnesota carries momentum from a bullpen-led win that followed an opening-day loss.