Friday’s extra-inning win in Minnesota may not have happened were it not for a “robbery” committed by center fielder Cedric Mullins (0 for 3, 1 RBI). For the record, the Baltimore Orioles won the game with the Twins 3-1 in 10 innings.

In the fourth inning of a scoreless game, Minnesota had runners on first and second with no outs when Byron Buxton sent a ball 414 feet into centerfield. Timing his jump perfectly, Mullins, with his glove over the fence, caught the ball, preventing a three-run homerun. Buxton slammed his batting helmet on the ground before spreading his arms as if the say “why me?” before acknowledging the play with a tip of the cap to Mullins. Mullins returned the gesture with a wry grin on his face. Flashback to last Sunday in Baltimore when Mullins robbed Buxton of possible extra bases with a diving catch at the wall in the right-center field gap.

The fourth inning catch helped propel Cole Irvin to a 6.1 inning start in which he allowed 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 4. Mullins also knocked in Anthony Santander (1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 BB) with a sixth inning sacrifice fly, accounting for Baltimore’s first run.

The eventual winning runs came on a Ramon Urias (1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI) double that brought ghost runner Colton Cowser (1 for 4, 1 R) home. James McCann (0 for 3) moved Urias to third with a sac bunt before pinch-hitter Aaron Hicks (0 for 0, 1 RBI) brought him home with a sacrifice fly.

Jordan Westburg went 1 for 4 and Ryan O’Hearn went 1 for 3.

All-Star closer Felix Bautista (4-1) was credited with the win for his 2.0 inning, 1 walk, 3 strike out effort; it was Bautista’s second 2.0 inning appearance of the season, both resulting in wins.

BOX SCORE

2023 Record: 52-35

Next Game: Sat. 7/8 @ 2:10 pm vs. Twins in Minnesota

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