MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Minnesota Twins dominated the Baltimore Orioles 9-1 on May 6, 2025, in the opening game of a three-game series at Target Field. Pablo López struck out a season-high 11 batters, and Carlos Correa hit a two-run homer, powering the Twins (16-20) to a decisive victory over the Orioles (13-21). The game, attended by 19,779 fans, began at 6:41 p.m. and lasted 2 hours and 33 minutes.
López (3-2, 2.18 ERA) delivered five strong innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while fanning 11. Correa’s upper-deck homer in a five-run third inning set the tone, and Byron Buxton added a three-run homer in the seventh, finishing with four RBIs. Ryan Jeffers contributed a two-run single, and Correa drove in three runs total. The Twins’ 10 hits, including two doubles and two homers, overwhelmed Baltimore’s pitching staff. “Pablo López struck out a season-high 11 batters and Carlos Correa hit an upper-deck two-run homer during a five-run third inning,” according to ESPN’s game summary.
Baltimore’s Cade Povich (1-3, 5.55 ERA) struggled, surrendering five earned runs on six hits over six innings. The Orioles managed only three hits, with Ryan Mountcastle’s RBI double in the fourth accounting for their lone run. Coby Mayo’s two fielding errors at third base led to unearned runs, and Baltimore’s offense left five runners on base, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Posts on X highlighted the Orioles’ offensive woes, noting 17 strikeouts and just three hits through nine innings.
The Twins capitalized in the third, starting with Trevor Larnach and Willi Castro’s singles. Buxton’s double drove in Larnach, and Jeffers’ single plated Castro and Buxton. Correa’s two-run homer off Povich made it 5-0. In the seventh, Mayo’s error and Castro’s walk set up Buxton’s three-run homer off Matt Bowman, followed by Correa’s RBI single, pushing the lead to 9-1.
Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins, Gunnar Henderson, and Adley Rutschman went hitless, combining for seven strikeouts. Jackson Holliday and Heston Kjerstad each singled, but the Orioles couldn’t sustain rallies. Minnesota’s bullpen, including Danny Coulombe, Louis Varland, Cole Sands, and Jorge Alcala, threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out six.
The Orioles, fifth in the AL East, have struggled on the road, batting .209 with a .601 OPS, per posts on X. Their 13-21 record reflects recent challenges, with seven losses in their last eight away games. The Twins, fourth in the AL Central, improved to 11-12 as favorites, leveraging López’s dominance and timely hitting.
Target Field, opened in 2010, provided a clear 83-degree backdrop for the Twins’ first home win in this series. Minnesota’s roster, despite injuries to Matt Wallner and Luke Keaschall, showcased depth with Buxton and Correa leading the offense. Baltimore, dealing with injuries to Zach Eflin and Jordan Westburg, among others, continues to rely on young prospects like Holliday and Mayo.
The series continues on May 7, with Minnesota favored to extend their lead. Fans can watch via Twins.TV or follow live updates on MLB.com.