TWINS 4, ORIOLES 2
at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Tuesday, March 18

Twins at the plate: Catcher Joe Mauer banged a two-run home run off Matt Albers in the third inning and dumped a run-scoring single in the fourth. Center fielder Denard Span drew an early walk and doubled off Brian Burres. Shortstop Matt Tolbert got two hits in his first three at-bats but left two men on base in the third. He added a single in the ninth to make in a three-hit day.

Orioles at the plate: Right fielder Nick Markakis had hits in each of his first two at-bats, including a single with the bases loaded in the third inning that scored Baltimore's first two runs. Catcher Ramon Hernandez, shortstop Luis Hernandez and second baseman Brian Roberts all had hits against Minnesota starter Phillip Humber.

Twins on the mound: Humber pitched three innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs against the Orioles. Both runs came in his final inning of work. Nick Blackburn pitched two scoreless innings for the Twins, and youngsters Glen Perkins and Casey Daigle each spun one scoreless inning for the road team.

Orioles on the mound: Albers had a shaky outing in his first start with the Orioles, but he worked into the fourth inning and managed to limit the damage. Albers gave up three hits, walked two batters and was charged with three earned runs. Rule 5 Draft pick Randor Bierd got two outs in the fourth and Burres gave up one run in three innings.

Grapefruit League records: Twins 11-9; Orioles 8-9-2;

Up next for the Twins: They get a day off Wednesday and will continue their Grapefruit League schedule on Thursday at Fort Myers, Fla., where Kevin Slowey will start against Cincinnati in a game scheduled for a 6:05 p.m. CT start.

Up next for the Orioles: They will take on the Cardinals on Wednesday at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, and Adam Loewen will come back from a one-start absence due to a shoulder ailment. Loewen will be matched up against St. Louis' Brad Thompson. The two teams are set to meet up for a 1:05 ET start.