BALTIMORE (Interstat) — In a season opener defined by dominant pitching and a single, decisive rally, the Baltimore Orioles edged the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Thursday afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards before an announced crowd of 42,134.

The game, which lasted 2 hours and 24 minutes, was a stark departure from pregame expectations. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-0 Twins victory, while the betting total of 7.5 runs vastly overshot the actual combined output. The contest instead became a tense duel where both lineups managed only five hits apiece.

Minnesota’s Joe Ryan and Baltimore’s Trevor Rogers set the tone with commanding starts. Ryan worked six scoreless innings, scattering two hits and two walks while striking out seven Orioles batters. Rogers matched him zero for zero over six frames, allowing just three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

The game’s most critical sequence arrived in the bottom of the seventh inning against Twins reliever Kody Funderburk. With the score still deadlocked at 0-0, Baltimore’s Samuel Basallo led off with a single and advanced to third on a base hit by Tyler O’Neill. Colton Cowser then delivered a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Basallo to break the scoreless tie and give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. After a fly out, Blaze Alexander drove a single up the middle to score O’Neill, providing a crucial insurance run.

Minnesota responded in the top of the eighth. Byron Buxton ignited the rally with a one-out triple off reliever Tyler Wells. Luke Keaschall followed with a sacrifice fly to left, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Twins could not muster any further offense against Baltimore’s bullpen.

In the ninth, Orioles closer Ryan Helsley surrendered a two-out single to Victor Caratini but sealed the victory by striking out pinch-hitter Trevor Larnach swinging.

Funderburk was charged with the loss, falling to 0-1. Trevor Rogers earned the win, moving to 1-0, and Helsley recorded his first save of the season.

The victory gives Baltimore a 1-0 start to the campaign, while Minnesota begins 0-1. The teams are scheduled to continue their series on Saturday.

Key Performances: - Trevor Rogers (BAL): Earned the win with six shutout innings. - Joe Ryan (MIN): Delivered six scoreless innings in a no-decision. - Ryan Helsley (BAL): Secured the save with a scoreless ninth. - Blaze Alexander (BAL): Provided the game-winning RBI with a seventh-inning single. - Byron Buxton (MIN): Tripled and scored Minnesota’s lone run.

Upcoming Schedule: The Twins remain in Baltimore for games on Saturday and Sunday before traveling to face the Kansas City Royals for a three-game series starting Monday. The Orioles host the Twins for two more games before welcoming the Texas Rangers for a three-game set beginning Monday.