Correia ends struggles, Mauer drives in four as Twins beat O's

Twins right-hander Kevin Correia had been struggling this season, but that all ended today. Correia held the Orioles to one run over seven innings as Minnesota beat the Birds 6-1 to even the three-game series at a win each.

Correia began this start with an 0-3 record and 7.33 ERA over five starts. He gave up eight runs in 2 1/3 innings in his most recent start and had an ERA of 9.60 in three home starts.

But this afternoon he allowed just five hits over seven innings with no walks and three strikeouts. He threw 102 pitches to improve to 1-3 with an ERA of 6.09.

After Minnesota went up 1-0 in the first against Wei-Yin Chen, the O's tied it in the second. Adam Jones struck out but reached on a wild pitch. He then stole second and scored on J.J. Hardy's single.

Joe Mauer hit a three-run homer in the seventh off Brad Brach who was making his Orioles debut and that gave Minnesota a 6-1 lead. Mauer went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Brian Dozier, who had three hits, homered in the third to give the Twins a 2-1 lead. It was the first homer allowed by an O's starting pitcher in 43 innings.

Chen took the loss. He went five innings allowing six hits and three runs (two earned) with one walk and five strikeouts. Chen threw 108 pitches and is now 3-2 with an ERA of 4.24. He threw 24, 22 and 20 pitches over his first three innings.

Nick Markakis doubled in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Markakis has six extra-base hits over his past 14 games, with four doubles and two homers.

Hardy and Manny Machado made errors today. The Orioles are now 2-8 when they make an error and 13-5 when they play error-free.

The Orioles fall to 15-13 as their three-game win streak ends. With New York's win over Tampa Bay this afternoon, the Yankees moved back into first-place by a half-game over the Orioles.

In the series finale on Sunday at 2:10 p.m., Miguel Gonzalez (1-2, 5.19 ERA) faces Phil Hughes (2-1, 5.14 ERA).