Orioles drop another one-run game as Twins take series finale

Some miscommunication in the Orioles outfield was among the factors leading to a 4-3 loss this afternoon to Minnesota. Also, don't look now, but the Orioles have started the year 0-3 in one-run games after going 29-9 last year. They didn't lose their third one-run game last season until May 13, in the 35th game. The Orioles are 3-3 as they head to Boston and New York for a six-game road trip. With the bases loaded and two outs in the Twins' third, Justin Morneau lifted a fly ball toward left center and Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold converged on it. The ball looked more playable for Jones, but he may have lost it in the sun briefly as he pointed toward Reimold, who charged over but it was too late as the ball dropped. Without anyone touching it, it was scored as a two-run double. Jason Hammel seemed to battle with his command at times as he gave up four hits and four runs (all earned) over 6 2/3 innings with three walks, two hit batters and two strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches, 51 for strikes. He falls to 1-1. The Orioles took a 3-0 lead in the second on a J.J. Hardy two-run homer, his second of the year, and a Nick Markakis RBI single. Markakis had a big series this weekend, going 8-for-13 after he was 2-for-14 in the series with Tampa Bay. Down 3-2, the Twins took the lead in the seventh as they took advantage of a leadoff hit batter and single to plate a pair of runs. Minnesota is now 4-2 with series wins over the Tigers and Orioles. Chris Davis, who entered batting .556 with four homers and 17 RBIs, went 0-for-4 and grounded out with two on to end the last of the seventh as the O's didn't score after the third. The series was well attended. Today's attendance was 34,431 and the three-date series drew 121,788.