Jimenez Strong, Bullpen Slips In Orioles' 6-2 Loss To Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Making a one-game stop in Minnesota before an important weekend series, the Baltimore Orioles weren't in a position to overlook a single game.
An overlooked pitcher almost gave Baltimore a big win before the Orioles headed to Toronto.
Ubaldo Jimenez pitched five effective innings in his first start in 20 days, but Odrisamer Despaigne (0-2) and the usually-reliable bullpen faltered in Baltimore's 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.
The teams were squeezing in a make-up game from a May 9 postponement with Minnesota in the middle of a homestand and Baltimore preparing to face the Blue Jays, who trail the Orioles by 1 1/2 games in the AL East.
"We thought tonight was a big game," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "We'll think tomorrow, we'll think the day after that and the day after that and the day after that...I'm just proud that people deem it important to beat us. We think every game is important."
Twins rookie Max Kepler homered to lead off the sixth inning against Despaigne and added an RBI single in a four-run seventh. Brian Dozier hit an RBI single in the seventh off Despaigne and Eddie Rosario added a two-run triple off of Chaz Roe.
The Orioles entered Thursday second in the AL and third in the majors with a 2.99 bullpen ERA.
But Despaigne hasn't been part of the success. He's allowed seven runs in his last four games, spanning nine innings.
"His command was up, he got a cutter up to Kepler," Showalter said. "He was pitching real well down and he was up. His command was an issue."
Minnesota's Ryan Pressly (5-5) combined with two other relievers to allow just two hits the final three innings.
Jimenez, who allowed one run and five hits and struck out eight, was making his first appearance since a 1 1/3-inning start on July 8. The right-hander had been in a bit of limbo with Baltimore since being ousted from the starting rotation with a 7.38 ERA.
The Orioles kept Jimenez off the mound in games, though. He never pitched out of the bullpen but did spend three days on the paternity leave list.
"It's been a long time since I faced hitters; it felt great to be out there and be with my teammates," Jimenez said.
Jimenez's spot start wasn't about looking past the AL-worst Twins.
"Each day we're going to try to put our best foot forward these 50-some odd games we have left," Showalter said. "He's had a lot of good things happen in his life lately. Give him a chance to step back and realize the sky's not always falling and live in a realistic. He gave us a chance to win tonight and I was proud of him."
Adam Jones homered on the first pitch of the game for Baltimore. Pedro Alvarez matched a season-high with three hits.
PLAYS AT THE PLATE
Minnesota was able to keep the game close in the fourth by throwing two runners out at the plate. Chris Davis singled and Mark Trumbo doubled to open the inning.
Davis was thrown out trying to score from third when Eduardo Escobar fielded a grounder from Jonathan Schoop and threw to catcher Juan Centeno. Alvarez followed with a single to right, but Kepler threw home to get Trumbo for his fifth assist in 58 games.
UP NEXT
Orioles: Baltimore follows its one-game stop in Minnesota with RHP Kevin Gausman (2-7, 3.77 ERA) taking the mound. Gausman earned just his second win in 17 starts in beating Cleveland in his last outing with seven scoreless innings. The Blue Jays will start RHP Marco Estrada (5-4, 2.94).
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