Twins top O’s 5-2

Published 5:15 am Friday, July 6, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Slegers got his first major league win by finished six smooth innings in his first start of the season for Minnesota, and the Twins stopped their six-game losing streak by hanging on to beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Thursday night.

Logan Morrison homered and Jake Cave reached base all four times he batted for the Twins, who turned to Fernando Rodney for the ninth for his 18th save following two consecutive blown chances.

Jonathan Schoop hit two home runs, but the Orioles squandered another quality start by Andrew Cashner and lost for the 10th time in 11 games. They have the worst record in the major leagues at 24-62, just the team the Twins needed to face to start a season-long 11-game homestand after a pivotal 1-8 road trip.

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Trailing AL Central-leading Cleveland by 11 1/2 games, Minnesota has become a probable seller before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31 with several accomplished players on expiring contracts.

Baltimore has essentially been in that boat since April, with slugging shortstop Manny Machado widely considered the best asset on the market this summer.