Jones Homers To Back Hunter, Orioles Top Twins 2-1
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Adam Jones hit a two-run homer in the first inning against Francisco Liriano and the Baltimore Orioles hung on to beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Josh Willingham's home run in the fourth was all Minnesota could manage against Tommy Hunter (4-4), who returned to Baltimore's stumbling rotation with a solid performance that lasted one out into the eighth inning.
Liriano (3-9) recovered after giving up the ball Jones crushed into the back of the second deck in left field, striking out 10 batters in six innings. His 25 strikeouts over his last two starts are a career best for consecutive outings, and this was only the third time he's posted back-to-back strikeout totals in the double digits.
Francisco Liriano Interview
Podcast
But Hunter allowed only six hits to the Twins, who scored 25 runs over the first two games of the series and have the second-best batting average in baseball since June 1. The right-hander struck out just one but didn't walk anybody, giving the bullpen a much-needed break and helping the Orioles win for only the second time in their last eight games.
Jim Johnson shook off his past two shaky appearances to post his 27th save in 29 attempts despite yielding a leadoff single to Trevor Plouffe. Brian Dozier popped a bunt up high enough that first baseman Mark Reynolds raced in for a diving catch for the first out.
With the trade deadline looming at the end of the month, Liriano's contract expiring after the season and another handful of scouts from around the majors in attendance, the left-hander didn't disappoint. He walked three but allowed only four hits, and in 10 starts since returning to the rotation on May 30 he has 77 strikeouts.
The Twins had a bunch of chances to hand him a victory.
Joe Mauer grounded into a double play to end the first inning, and Ben Revere did the same in the third after consecutive singles to start that frame. Hunter helped himself with a slick between-the-legs pick-up of Revere's sharp comebacker.
Then in the seventh inning, with two on and one out, Hunter retired the next two batters on harmless pop-ups.
Hunter struck out Jamey Carroll to start the eighth, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter brought left-hander Troy Patton in with three straight lefties at the top of the Twins' lineup. Denard Span walked, Ben Revere singled and Joe Mauer moved them over with a soft groundout. Willingham was intentionally walked to load the bases and bring up Justin Morneau, who bounced out to second base.
Hunter was the third straight starter recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take the mound for the Orioles, following Chris Tillman on Monday and Zach Britton on Tuesday. He's one of nine guys to take a turn this season. Their starting pitching has been in rough shape, with the knee injury to Jason Hammel last week and youngsters Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz sent back to the minors.
Hunter hasn't had much help. In his last 12 starts, spanning his time in Triple-A, the Orioles have scored 34 runs — and 11 of those came on one night. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, in one of the worst slumps of all of them, a 6-for-66 slide and a .165 batting average since June 1, came through with a key single before Jones went deep.
The Twins announced in the eighth inning that manager Ron Gardenhire went home with a stomach virus. Bench coach Scott Ullger took over.
Ben Revere Interview
Podcast
NOTES: To make room for Hunter, the Orioles designated RH reliever Brad Bergesen for assignment, one day after he was brought up from Triple-A Norfolk. ... The Twins have slotted recalled RH Nick Blackburn in the rotation for Friday to face Kansas City. LH Brian Duensing was moved back to the bullpen, but general manager Terry Ryan said the organization hasn't given up on Duensing as a starter because of his variety of pitches. ... Orioles DH Jim Thome was on the bench against the lefty Liriano, but he did get the ball he hit here for career homer No. 607 back before the game. Gardenhire met him halfway between the two clubhouses. ... The Orioles will send RH Wei-Yin Chin (7-5, 3.80 ERA), the only member of their opening day rotation still in the group, to the mound for the series finale on Thursday. He'll face RH Cole De Vries (2-2, 4.37 ERA), who gave up seven runs and three homers in five innings in his last start.
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
