Gausman serves up three homers in four innings (O's lose 7-0)

Andrew Cashner allowed three home runs last night in the first four innings in his Orioles debut. On the mound less than 24 hours later, Kevin Gausman served up three homers within three innings while falling behind the Twins 6-0.

Gausman lasted four innings, one fewer than Cashner. He was charged with six runs and seven hits with two walks, five strikeouts and two wild pitches to go along with the three home runs.

Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo entered the game in the fifth after Gausman threw 73 pitches, including 46 for strikes. Araujo made his major league debut last night and worked a clean inning.

The Orioles aren't building momentum for their trip to Houston and New York.

Gausman needed 25 pitches to get through the first inning - Brian Dozier launched the first, a 91 mph fastball, over the left field fence. The Twins sent eight batters to the plate and scored four runs, getting RBIs singles from Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton and an RBI double from Eduardo Escobar.

After retiring the side in order in the second, Gausman served up solo home runs to Miguel Sanó and Escobar in the third as more booing filtered through the crowd. Escobar's ball traveled 427 feet and hit the batter's eye in center field.

Gausman got his fastball up to 94-95 mph, but wasn't going to last much longer.

Joe Mauer was stranded at second base after a one-out double in the fourth and Gausman was done after 73 pitches.

Dozier's home run in the first was the 28th of his career leading off a game. He took Araujo deep in the sixth to increase Minnesota's lead to 7-0.

Gausman posted a 6.35 ERA in the first inning last season and got off to another slow start today.

"I think we've talked many times about the fastball command with Kevin. Kind of starts there," manager Buck Showalter said before the game.

"He did some things in the spring. There were some points of emphasis with the breaking ball and we'll see if that continues today. He'll have to have it. They're very left-handed dominant, but Kevin's been able to defend himself against those guys in the past. He's kind of a reverse-splits on paper."

Tim Beckham committed a fielding error and Gausman threw his second wild pitch following Escobar's home run. Max Kepler walked and Mitch Garver flied out to end the third with Gausman at 54 pitches.

Araujo stranded Buxton in the fifth after a two-out single. He gave up Dozier's second home run the following inning, walked Mauer and struck out Sanó before left-hander Richard Bleier replaced him.

Twins starter José Berríos has held the Orioles to one hit over six innings - Chance Sisco's double to left field that Rosario whiffed on as he approached the fence. The Orioles were no-hit for 7 2/3 innings last night.

Update: Berríos went the distance and allowed only one baserunner until the ninth inning in the Twins' 7-0 victory over the Orioles.

Minnesota takes the last two games of the series to leave the Orioles with a 1-2 record.

Sisco also had a bunt single with one out in the ninth, which brought a big ovation from fans who want more bunting against the shift. Chris Davis followed with the only walk issued by Berríos, who retired 18 in a row before Sisco's second hit, and Manny Machado singled to load the bases.

Jonathan Schoop fouled out and Adam Jones struck out to end the threat and the game.