Astudillo, Gibson aid Twins to thrash Orioles 4-3

Willians Astudillo drove in two runs, and starter Kyle Gibson threw six solid innings as the visiting Minnesota Twins defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Sunday. Astudillo had an RBI double plus a sacrifice fly as the Twins took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed. The victory let Minnesota complete a sweep of the three-game weekend series in Baltimore.

For the Twins, Gibson (1-0) was steady throughout. He gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, mixing his pitches effectively. Gibson struck out six without a walk and finally got a victory after coming up empty in his first three starts this season, leaving with a 4-2 lead.

Trevor May pitched the seventh and got into trouble in the eighth. Then, Trevor Hildenberger entered with two on and none out and didn't allow a run. Taylor Rogers then closed it in the ninth and earned his third save despite running into some trouble and giving up a run.

The Twins now are 9-1 versus Baltimore in the past two seasons, and the two teams will meet again in Minnesota next weekend. Baltimore starter Dylan Bundy's struggles continued although he pitched better. Bundy (0-3) now has gone five starts without a win this season. He gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings and took the loss.

The Twins started quickly, with a bit of help from the Orioles, scoring twice in the top of the first inning. Jorge Polanco led off with a fly ball to left that Dwight Smith Jr. lost in the sun. The ball fell and got past him for a three-base error.

Astudillo then lined an RBI double to left for a 1-0 lead. Two outs later, C.J. Cron singled to right-center and gave the Twins the 2-0 edge. They went up 3-0 on a Jake Cave RBI single in the third. But the Orioles cut the lead to one when Smith lined a two-run single to center.

Smith left after the sixth inning with right quadricep tightness. Minnesota answered in the fourth wen Byron Buxton led off with a double and later scored on the Astudillo sacrifice fly.

Baltimore cut the lead to 4-3 in the ninth on a Jonathan Villar double with two outs and loaded the bases with two outs. Rogers went 3-0 on pinch-hitter Pedro Severino but got him to fly out two pitches later.