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2026 – TWINS UNABEL TO PIGGYBACK FOR A VICTORY: The Twins lost to the Orioles in Baltimore by a score of 8-6, suffering the series loss. Bailey Ober was the Twins starter but did not factor into the decision, allowing three runs on four hits in 4.0 innings pitched, with one walk and one strikeout. The Twins had a 4-0 lead but the O’s stormed back with the next 5 runs. Starter Mick Abel (0-1) “piggybacked” Ober with 3.1 innings of relief, allowing five runs on eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts and was dealt the loss. The offense recorded 12 hits, two apiece from Josh Bell, Victor Caratini and Trevor Larnach. Royce Lewis hit his second home run of the season and Tristan Gray went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in his Twins debut. The Twins had some terrible base-running in this game and manager Derek Shelton was ejected for arguing ABS time used by the Orioles to call for an appeal. This was Shelton’s first ejection as a Twins manager but his 17 ejection over all. Box Score
2025 – The Twins lost to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium III by a score of 5-1, dropping their first series of the season. Joe Ryan made his first start since August 7, 2024, and allowed one run on five hits in 5 innings pitched, with no walks and five strikeouts. Jorge Alcala (0-1) was dealt the loss, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk in the sixth inning and did not record an out. To be fair, Alcala took a line drive off his pitching shoulder off the bat of the first batter he faced, Nolan Arenado. Rocco and the Medic took a mound visit and Alcala said he was OK. The next batter walked and the next batter singled and Alcala who probably was not really OK was done for the day. The offense recorded three hits, scoring their only run on a Willi Castro RBI-double in the second inning. Mickey Gasper recorded his first major league hit with an eighth inning infield single off JoJo Romero after starting his career 0 for 18. Minnesota batters struck out just three times after fanning 11 times in the Opener. Cardinal starter Erik Fedde (1-0) got the win. Box Score
2024 – No Twins game today, scheduled day off.
2020 – No Twins vs A’s game in Oakland today due to COVID-19
2019 – No Game Today
2018 – For the first time in 50 years, all major league teams are scheduled to play their first game on the same day. The earliest opening day ever for the Minnesota Twins (until they opened on March 28 in 2019) as they open on the road at Oriole Park at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. The Twins lose to the Orioles by a score of 3-2 in 11 innings. It marked their ninth ever extra innings (5-4) on Opening Day. The Twins had 8 hits and no one had more than one. Four Twins pitchers made their club debut, including starter Jake Odorizzi, and relievers Zach Duke, Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney who was dealt the loss, allowing a walk-off home run to Adam Jones. Joe Mauer made his 14th Opening Day start, passing Harmon Killebrew for the club record. In the seventh inning, Twins reliever Zach Duke became the fourth pitcher (Scott Baker in 2008, Francisco Liriano in 2012, Tyler Duffey in 2016) in team history to strike out four batters in one inning but the first to do it on opening day. Box Score
1971 – The Twins trade pitcher Bill Zepp to the Detroit Tigers and receive outfielder Mike Adams and pitcher Art Clifford in the transaction. Clifford never got above “A” ball in the Minnesota organization. I can not find any Clifford images, if you have one to share, please let me know.
