Cedric Mullins hits walk-off homer as Orioles sweep Twins

Minnesota lost its fourth straight contest.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) greeted by catcher Adley Rutschman (35) following his solo home run in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore on April 17, 2024. / Mitch Stringer / USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday afternoon’s game between the Twins and Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore appeared destined for extra innings. Until it didn’t. 

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, Cedric Mullins hit a two-run shot 379 feet into right field to give the Orioles a walk-off 4-2 victory, handing the Twins their fourth straight loss.

It spoiled a terrific start from Pablo Lopez. 

While Lopez gave up a 416-foot solo shot to the first batter he faced, Gunnar Henderson, he was lights out from then on, giving up just one more hit on the day while striking out seven across his six innings of work. And the Twins (6-11) took a lead the following frame. 

After Jose Miranda grounded out to the mound to open the seventh inning, Manny Margot drew a walk and Austin Martin quickly sent him home with a single to left field. Martin then took second with the throw to home being off the mark. Kyle Farmer later brought Martin in with a single to left field, giving the Twins a 2-1 lead over the Orioles (12-6).

But that’s when Twins manager Rocco Baldelli turned away from Lopez in favor of reliever Steven Okert, who quickly got Austin Hays to fly out to center, but gave up a solo homer to Anthony Santander that went 402 feet into left-center field, knotting the game at 2-2. 

That’s where the score remained until Mullins hit the walk-off blast, securing a three-game sweep for the Orioles, who were dominant from the plate throughout the series.