Baltimore Orioles vs Minnesota Twins Match Player Stats On Jul 07, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jul 7, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kennys Vargas had three hits and drove in two runs in his return from the minors, Eddie Rosario added three hits and the Minnesota bullpen supplied 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Twins' 9-6 comeback win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Vargas returned from Triple-A Rochester after Joe Mauer went on the disabled list with back issues and hammered two balls off the outfield wall, including a two-run double in the go-ahead fifth inning.

After rallying from a 6-0 deficit, Minnesota has now won all five games against Baltimore this season.

Rookie Trevor Hildenberger (1-0) picked up his first major league win with 2 1/3 innings in relief of starter Felix Jorge. Hildenberger gave up two hits and struck out three batters as five relievers combined to shut down the Orioles during the comeback.

Brandon Kintzler, named an All-Star earlier in the day, finished off his American League-leading 24th save in 27 chances.

Miguel Castro (1-1) took the loss in relief of Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman. Castro allowed one run and two hits in one inning.

Manny Machado had four hits, including two homers, and Seth Smith added a solo home run for the Orioles, who have lost five games in a row and seven of their past eight.

Jorge's second career start didn't go as well as his debut last week.

Smith opened the game with his ninth homer of the season and the seventh of his career leading off a game. Machado followed with another home run, the Orioles' sixth set of back-to-back homers this season.

It was the first time since May 20, 2016, against the Angels that Baltimore led off a game with consecutive home runs.

Jorge walked No. 9 hitter Ruben Tejada leading off the third and the top of the Orioles' order again went to work. Smith singled and Machado followed with a three-run homer. It was the 11th multi-homer game of Machado's career and the second this season.

Trey Mancini added an RBI single to end Jorge's night.

Jorge picked up a win in his major league debut last week at Kansas City, and he was rewarded with another spot start with Hector Santiago on the disabled list.

Meanwhile, Gausman controlled the Twins. The right-hander threw 12 1/3 scoreless innings in his previous two starts and didn't allow a run until unraveling in the fourth.

Miguel Sano and Max Kepler had infield singles with one out and Vargas singled to right field to load the bases. Rosario plated one run with a single to center. Chris Gimenez was hit by a pitch to bring another run. Two strikeouts by Gausman got him out of the jam.

Brian Dozier started the fifth with a triple, followed by Robbie Grossman's RBI double. Machado's throwing error allowed Sano to reach base. Kepler added an RBI single. Vargas hit a two-run double and Gimenez laced an RBI single to give Minnesota a 7-6 lead.

NOTES: Minnesota signed RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract. Colon will report to Triple-A Rochester. ... The Twins placed 1B Joe Mauer on the 10-day disabled list with a left side low back/lumbar strain, retroactive to July 5. It's Mauer's first stint on the DL since August 2014. The team recalled 1B/DH Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester. ... Baltimore announced LHP Wade Miley (3-7, 5.20 ERA) will start Saturday's day game. ... Orioles 1B/DH Chris Davis (right oblique strain) participated in batting practice before the game and fielded ground balls at first base. Manager Buck Showalter said Davis would play rehab games for Class A Frederick on Monday and Class A Delmarva on Wednesday if he continues to progress.