masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles’ first home run of the 2016 season came off the bat of first baseman Chris Davis.
In a lineup full of candidates, Davis seemed like the safe bet.
Davis’ shot to straightaway center field broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning after the Twins knotted the score in the top half on Byron Buxton’s leadoff double, a sacrifice bunt and Joe Mauer’s sacrifice fly to medium center.
Twins starter Kyle Gibson threw Davis a curveball, changeup, two-seam fastball and slider. May as well dig deep…

The Orioles’ first home run of the 2016 season came off the bat of first baseman Chris Davis.

In a lineup full of candidates, Davis seemed like the safe bet.

davis-c-sidebar-bat-white.jpgDavis’ shot to straightaway center field broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning after the Twins knotted the score in the top half on Byron Buxton’s leadoff double, a sacrifice bunt and Joe Mauer’s sacrifice fly to medium center.

Twins starter Kyle Gibson threw Davis a curveball, changeup, two-seam fastball and slider. May as well dig deep into his bag of tricks.

Gibson got ahead 1-2 and watched Buxton run out of room while chasing Davis’ drive to center. Buxton made a similar journey on opening day and caught Davis’ fly ball with his back against the wall.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the second on Jonathan Schoop’s two-out bloop double that scored J.J. Hardy from first base. Twins right fielder Miguel Sano made an ill-advised diving attempt on the ball, which scooted past him. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson made an aggressive send and Hardy slid home safely.

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard singled for his third hit in five major league at-bats, all of them coming with two strikes.

Yovani Gallardo retired the side in order for the first time tonight in the fourth inning, striking out Byung Ho Park and Eduardo Escobar. He walked a batter in each of the first three innings.

Gallardo has thrown 65 pitches, 38 for strikes, in four innings. Buxton’s double is the only hit off him. He struck out four.

Hardy led off the bottom of the fourth with his 250th career double.

Update: The Orioles increased their lead to 3-1 in the fourth on Hardy’s double, Schoop’s tapper in front of the mound and Rickard’s line drive to left field – the Rule 5 pick’s first major league RBI.

Davis now has 162 home runs with the Orioles, ranking 10th on the all-time list. Frank Robinson hit 179.

Update II: Mark Trumbo walked in the fifth inning and scored on Matt Wieters’ double to increase the lead to 4-1.

Gallardo is done after five innings. He allowed one run and two hits – both doubles by Buxton – walked three and struck out four. Mychal Givens replaced him after 89 pitches, 52 strikes.

Trevor Plouffe homered off Givens with one out in the sixth to reduce the lead to 4-2.