SARASOTA, FLA. — Despite hitting three home runs Sunday, including back-to-back shots in the first inning, the Orioles lost to the Minnesota Twins, 6-5, before an announced crowd of 6,914 at Ed Smith Stadium.
Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez turned in his longest outing of the spring, lasting 5 2/3 innings and throwing 84 pitches, but he allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk.
Gonzalez didn't pitch badly, but he allowed a two-run homer to designated hitter Eric Fryer in the second and two more runs in the third. He left in the sixth with a runner on first and minor league pitcher David Hess gave up a two-run homer to Oswaldo Arcia to put the game out of reach.
The Orioles scored three runs in the first against Minnesota starter Ricky Nolasco.
Adam Jones hit a two-run homer (his fourth this spring) to break a scoreless tie. The next batter, Travis Snider, followed with his first homer to make it 3-0.
The Orioles' third homer of the game came when minor league outfielder Mike Yastrzemski hit a solo shot in the eighth inning.