Orioles 4, Twins 2
BALTIMORE -- Yovani Gallardo was stellar in his Baltimore debut, Chris Davis homered and the Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Baltimore, which lost all seven games against Minnesota last season, will go for the three-game sweep on Thursday.
Gallardo (1-0) allowed one run and two hits with four strikeouts and three walks in five innings on a chilly night at Camden Yards. It was an encouraging performance from Gallardo, who has made at least 30 starts in each of the past seven seasons.
Baltimore closer Zach Britton picked up his first save after finishing with 37 last year -- tied for third among American League relievers.
Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson (0-1) had an uneven performance. He allowed four runs and seven hits with three strikeouts and five walks on 105 pitches in five innings. Minnesota has given up 11 walks in the past two games.
Byron Buxton had twop doubles and scored a run for the Twins.
Minnesota cut the Baltimore lead to 4-2 on a solo home run by Trevor Plouffe in the sixth off Mychal Givens.
From there, Orioles relievers Brad Brach and Darren O'Day preserved the lead for Britton, who allowed runners on the corners before striking out Joe Mauer to end the game.
The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the second when J.J. Hardy drew a two-out walk and Jonathan Schoop flared a double to right.
The Twins tied the score in the following inning after Buxton led off with a double, took third on a sac bunt by Brian Dozier and scored on a long flyout to center by Mauer.
Davis, who led the majors with 47 home runs last season, answered for the Orioles in the third with a towering solo shot to dead center.
Baltimore increased the lead to 3-1 an inning later when Hardy led off with a double and Joey Rickard, who was picked up in the Rule 5 Draft, got his first career RBI with a sacrifice fly to left.
The Orioles' bats stayed hot and a double by Matt Wieters increased the margin to 4-1 in the fifth.
NOTES: Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (right shoulder strain) threw 30 pitches on Wednesday in a simulated game. The goal is for him to be activated April 19. ... Several Twins players and coaches, including manager Paul Molitor, 1B Joe Mauer, 2B Brian Dozier and 3B Trevor Plouffe, visited the White House on the off-day Tuesday. ... Orioles RHP Chris Tillman will make his second start of the season on Friday against the Rays. He pitched two perfect innings against the Twins on Opening Day but was pulled after a rain delay. ... Twins RHP Ricky Nolasco was available out of the bullpen after having his first start moved back to Sunday against the Royals.