The Twins started their homestand against a familiar face, in left-handed starter Cade Povich.

Minnesota’s 2021 third-round draft pick came into the game struggling to a 1-2 mark with a 5.16 ERA, after going 3-9 in his 2024 rookie campaign with the Baltimore Orioles.

Sent away in the ill-fated trade for Jorge López in August of 2022, the southpaw never shared a team in the minor leagues with any of the Twins’ current lineup, but he did share a mound with David Festa and Louis Varland in 2021 and 2022.

Despite his struggles overall at the big-league level, Povich dominated the Twins in late September of last year, going five innings and surrendering only two hits and zero runs in an Orioles victory.

Standing in opposition of Povich and the reeling Orioles was Twins veteran and ace Pablo López. Joining him in this kickoff to the homestand were hopeful superstar Royce Lewis and last year’s All-Star Willi Castro, fresh off of the injured list. Lewis had yet to take an at-bat in 2025, and the Twins desperately hoped he could provide an instant spark to a woeful offense.

Castro hadn’t experienced a repeat of last year’s success before he went down, but fans and leadership alike hoped for some ignition from him, too, as the homestand began.

Lights-Out López and Lit Up Povich

A casual observer of tonight’s game into the third inning might argue that the starting pitching was excellent. López struck out seven Orioles in the first three innings alone, surrendering a meaningless single and zero runs across that span. Povich set the Twins down in order in the first and second innings, but ran into an unlikely obstacle in the bottom of the third inning named Trevor Larnach.

With Harrison Bader out with illness, the lefty Larnach ended up getting the same-side start, and responded with a single up the middle to collect the first hit and baserunner of the game for the home team. Castro followed suit, and suddenly there were runners at first and second for Byron Buxton.

Buxton had struck out in the first, but this time, he struck the fence in left field for a double to put the Twins up 1-0.

Ryan Jeffers came up next with two runners in scoring position and a torpedo bat. One opposite-field single (with english) later, it was 3-0 good guys.

Povich was obviously in trouble, and Ty France tried to officially ruin his evening. France’s booming 105+ mph blast to center field traveled 410 feet… for an out. Carlos Correa came up next, altered the launch angle from 29 degrees to 26 degrees, and upped the exit velocity to 109 mph. The result was a 5-0 lead.

Before we left the bottom of the third inning, Twins fans had one last opportunity to hold their collective breath. Lewis beat a slow grounder toward third base, and tested that hamstring with a full-out sprint down the line. He was safe, and smiling, and for now, everyone in Twins Territory could relax and enjoy the 5-0 lead.

The Lights Flicker for López, and He Goes Out Early

In the top of the fourth inning, Gunnar Henderson worked a leadoff walk, and advanced to third base on consecutive ground outs. As López attempted to escape the jam, Ryan Mountcastle attempted to raise his OPS. Mountcastle’s double scored Henderson, and brought up the dangerous Jackson Holliday. López added yet another strikeout to his tally, and the rally stopped with only one run. López managed to go another inning, but with his pitch count mounting to 98 after only five innings, the bullpen was going to have to deliver to seal this series-opening victory.

Povich Holds the Line, but the Orioles Bullpen Lets it Go

Povich recovered and managed to complete six innings, five of which were outstanding. The Orioles bullpen entered in the bottom of the seventh, and immediately booted Jonah Bride to first base with an error. A Castro walk chased Cionel Pérez, and Buxton rudely welcomed lefty reliever Matt Bowman on the second pitch he saw. Buck Truck, engaged. It was 8-1 Twins.

After a France opposite-field double, Correa continued his hot night with an RBI single to make it 9-1 Minnesota. The rout was on, and the Target Field faithful felt just fine.

Turns the Lights Off on Your Way Out

Danny Coulombe, Louis Varland, Cole Sands, and Jorge Alcala took the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively. The Orioles couldn’t touch Coulombe, Varland, or Sands. Alcala couldn’t touch the strike zone for most of the ninth, but neither of his two walks scored either to finalize a great way to open the homestand.

What’s Next?

Twins righty Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2, 4.03 ERA) will take the mound in hopes of giving the home team a quality start, and not taxing the bullpen in the process. The Orioles have yet to name their starter for Wednesday night’s game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm CDT.

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