Twins 3, Orioles 1

Jim Thome knocked in two runs and Scott Baker pitched seven shutout innings as the visiting Minnesota Twins recorded a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.

Batting just .163 entering the contest, Thome belted a solo homer and an RBI single as the Twins (7-12) earned a split in the four-game series. Michael Cuddyer also homered and Denard Span had two hits for Minnesota.

Baker (1-2) struck out nine and permitted just four hits and a walk in seven innings for the victory. Matt Capps pitched the ninth for his third save.

Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie (1-3) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings. Vladimir Guerrero had two hits, including an RBI infield single in the bottom of the eighth, for the Orioles (8-10).

Thome belted his 591st career home run and second of the season in the top of the second inning to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. Alexi Casilla singled and came home on Thome’s RBI single in the sixth inning.

Cuddyer hit his second homer of the season, a solo blast off reliever Mike Gonzalez, in the top of the eighth for a 3-0 lead.

Final1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9thRHE
Minnesota TwinsTwins010001010390
Baltimore OriolesOrioles000000010170
WP:Scott Baker (MIN)
LP:Jeremy Guthrie (BAL)
Season Series
BaltimoreStatsMinnesota
6-2Vs2-6
.285Batting Average.209
5.5Runs / Game2.0
11Home Runs4
1Errors3