Berrios shines on mound as Twins beat Orioles for sweep

Published 7:39 am Thursday, May 25, 2017

BALTIMORE — After becoming the first team this season to win a series at Camden Yards, the Minnesota Twins wanted more.

Beating the Baltimore Orioles twice in a row simply wasn’t good enough for these upstart Twins, who entered Wednesday’s series finale determined to complete a sweep.

That’s precisely what happened. Using a strong pitching performance by Jose Berrios, the AL Central leaders churned out a 4-3 victory.

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Following a 14-7 win on Monday night and a 2-0 victory Tuesday, the Twins ended Baltimore’s run of seven straight series wins at home.

“You always try to win series, but I think the mindset once we left (Tuesday) was, ‘Don’t settle on two,’” Minnesota’s Brian Dozier said. “From the very first inning, it showed.”

Berrios took a two-hitter into the seventh inning and Kennys Vargas drove in two runs for the Twins, who have won six of seven and are a major league best 14-5 on the road.

In this one, Minnesota bolted to a 4-0 lead and withstood solo homers by J.J. Hardy, Chris Davis and Jonathan Schoop to complete its fourth sweep of the season — matching its total of all last year.

“Today, we kind of started fast and had to hang on,” manager Paul Molitor said. “It was a little frustrating we couldn’t take advantage and increase the cushion somewhat.”

A year ago, when the Twins finished 59-103, any kind of win would do. Not anymore.

Berrios (3-0) allowed three runs and four hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven.