López Dominates as Twins Cruise to 9-1 Win Over Orioles

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Pablo López turned in a dominant performance Tuesday night, striking out a season-high 11 batters as the Minnesota Twins rolled to a 9-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series.

López (3-2) was electric on the mound, punching out the side in the first, third, and fifth innings. The right-hander allowed just one run across five innings, finishing his night by catching Dylan Carlson looking to end the fifth. The outing lowered López’s ERA to 2.18 and marked the 10th double-digit strikeout game of his career.

Carlos Correa provided the offensive spark with a towering two-run homer to the upper deck in the third inning — his second of the season — capping a five-run frame for the Twins. Correa entered the game batting .216 with a .560 OPS but crushed a 458-foot shot off Orioles starter Cade Povich (1-3).

Byron Buxton added more firepower, launching a three-run homer in the seventh and finishing with four RBIs. Ryan Jeffers also contributed with a two-run single earlier in the third inning.

Minnesota, winners of three straight, got reinforcements as Royce Lewis and Willi Castro returned from the injured list. Lewis, making his season debut as the designated hitter, went 0-for-4. Castro, starting in left field, went 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Orioles were limited to just three singles and have now dropped three consecutive games. Every Baltimore batter struck out at least once, as Twins pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts—just two shy of the franchise record for a nine-inning game.

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The Orioles had yet to announce their starter for Wednesday’s game. Minnesota will counter with Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2, 4.03 ERA), who allowed only two hits but issued five walks over 4 2/3 innings in his last outing.