Minnesota @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2013 ) Minnesota 6, Baltimore 5
Late-inning drama has marked the first two games of the series between the visiting Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles. Each team has provided late heroics, making Sunday's contest the rubber match of the three-game set. Orioles slugger Chris Davis delivered the go-ahead grand slam in Friday's opener, but he made a key error that led to the winning run Saturday.
Justin Morneau was the hero for the Twins in the second game, delivering three hits, including the go-ahead single in the ninth.The Twins are trying to claim a second straight series after dropping the opening game. They fell to Detroit on Opening Day but bounced back to win the next two, and they'll try to do the same against Baltimore. Minnesota's last series win at Baltimore came in 2010, when the Twins took three of four from July 22-25.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Pedro Hernandez (2012: 0-1, 18.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jason Hammel (1-0, 4.50)
Hernandez has been called upon to make his Twins debut and only his second major-league start with Cole De Vries (strained right forearm) headed for the disabled list. The 23-year-old Venezuelan made his big-league debut last July with the White Sox and was roughed up for eight runs in four innings against Boston.
Hammel didn't have good command of his fastball on Opening Day, but managed to limit the Rays to three runs over six innings and earn the win. In four games (three starts) against Minnesota, Hammel is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA, and he limited the Twins to one run on two hits over eight innings in his only outing against them last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Davis, who has an MLB-best 17 RBIs, had his home run streak snapped at four games Saturday.
2. Twins OF Josh Willingham is 5-for-12 with a home run against Hammel.
3. Minnesota rookie OF Aaron Hicks is 1-for-22 with 10 strikeouts hitting in the leadoff spot.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Twins 3