Kody Clemens hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lead the Minnesota Twins to their 10th straight victory, 8-6 over the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday.
Minnesota rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win the opener 6-3, then fell behind 6-4 before coming back in the second game. The Twins trailed by a run when Willi Castro led off the eighth with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a balk by Yennier Cano (0-3). After a walk to Royce Lewis, Clemens hit a drive to right to give Minnesota the lead.
"Honestly, I don't try and think about it, just trust the process and focus on what I'm looking for," explained Clemens after getting the game-winner. "And get a good pitch to hit and make sure I get my ace swing off."
He definitely did that. Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler added that the Twins showed some heart in being able to sweep a doubleheader with short benches and especially a short bullpen.
"It's probably the definition of, just like a team gutsy win with both games," Tingler explained. "You use all your relievers and in two games nobody gave up a run. They kept us in games and then it's up and down the lineup. It feels like it's a different guy, kind of every day making the big play, getting the big hit. Vasquez game one, and then Clemens gets a 3-run shot."
Kody Funderburk (1-0) won in relief. Cole Sands pitched a perfect ninth for his first save.
The Orioles scored six runs in the third — thanks largely to a grand slam by Cedric Mullins and a solo shot by Heston Kjerstad — but managed no further scoring.
Trevor Larnach hit a two-run homer in the second for Minnesota. The Twins led 4-0 before Baltimore's big third inning.
Minnesota outfielder Harrison Bader left the game with left groin tightness. First baseman Ty France didn't play after leaving the opener with a foot issue.
After wrapping the series in Baltimore Thursday, the Twins head to Milwaukee for three in a weekend border battle.
Twins Option Woods-Richardson
The Minnesota Twins announced Thursday that they have optioned the Wednesday, Game 2 starter, right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson to Triple-A St. Paul.
Woods Richardson pitched in eight games (7 starts) for the Twins this season, going 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA (37.2 IP, 21 ER), 14 walks, 35 strikeouts, eight home runs allowed and a .295 opponent batting average.
To replace Woods Richardson, left-handed pitcher Kody Funderburk will remain on the active 26-man roster. Funderburk was added as the 27th man for yesterday’s doubleheader in Baltimore and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in game two.
Key moment
Lewis is 2 for 23 on the season, but he was able to reach base against Cano. Then Clemens, who is batting .179 on the year, took him deep.
Key stat
The Orioles scored nine runs in the third inning of the two games Wednesday — and none in the other 16.
Up next
Minnesota Twins (23-20, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Baltimore Orioles (15-26, fifth in the AL East)
Baltimore; Thursday, 11:35 a.m. Pregame 11:00 a.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy app (in-market restrictions apply).
PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Chris Paddack (1-3, 4.76 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 30 strikeouts); Orioles: Tomoyuki Sugano (4-2, 2.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 26 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Orioles -139, Twins +117; over/under is 9 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins hit the road against the Baltimore Orioles aiming to continue a four-game road winning streak.
Baltimore is 15-26 overall and 8-11 in home games. The Orioles have an 11-3 record in games when they scored five or more runs.
Minnesota is 8-14 in road games and 23-20 overall. The Twins have the eighth-ranked team on-base percentage in the AL at .310.
The teams meet Thursday for the sixth time this season. The Twins lead the season series 5-0.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cedric Mullins has six doubles and eight home runs while hitting .230 for the Orioles. Gunnar Henderson is 16 for 42 with two doubles, a triple and three home runs over the last 10 games.
Byron Buxton has five doubles, three triples and nine home runs for the Twins. Trevor Larnach is 13 for 42 with three doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 2-8, .229 batting average, 5.65 ERA, outscored by 24 runs
Twins: 10-0, .257 batting average, 2.67 ERA, outscored opponents by 25 runs
INJURIES: Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Colton Cowser: 60-Day IL (thumb), Jordan Westburg: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Gary Sanchez: 10-Day IL (wrist), Cody Poteet: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Albert Suarez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Andrew Kittredge: 15-Day IL (knee), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Twins: Harrison Bader: day-to-day (groin), Ty France: day-to-day (foot), Luke Keaschall: 10-Day IL (forearm), Matt Wallner: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Michael Tonkin: 15-Day IL (shoulder)
The Associated Press contributed to this story.