masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe middle of the Orioles batting order delivered some key offense for the Orioles in their season-opening win, with Nick Markakis producing a homer and three RBIs.

Tonight, the bottom of the order has contributed five hits, four runs and two RBIs between Ronny Paulino and Robert Andino. The Paulino-Andino combo has been retired just once tonight by Twins pitching.

After Adam Jones’ homer in the second gave the O’s a 1-0 lead, Paulino and Andino both singled and scored in the third and…The middle of the Orioles batting order delivered some key offense for the Orioles in their season-opening win, with Nick Markakis producing a homer and three RBIs.

Tonight, the bottom of the order has contributed five hits, four runs and two RBIs between Ronny Paulino and Robert Andino. The Paulino-Andino combo has been retired just once tonight by Twins pitching.

After Adam Jones’ homer in the second gave the O’s a 1-0 lead, Paulino and Andino both singled and scored in the third and Andino added a two-run single in the fourth.

Paulino got the start as the DH tonight and is 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a run scored in his O’s debut. One reason he started is the Twins started left-hander Francisco Liriano. Paulino is a career .330 hitter with an OPS of .860 versus southpaws.

The Orioles are looking for a 2-0 start and their eighth win in the last nine meetings against Minnesota with a 6-0 lead now in the seventh.

Update: Markakis just homered in the bottom of the seventh, his solo shot making it 7-0. One out later, Matt Wieters hit one out to right-center for an 8-0 lead.