Orioles’ slump continues in 1-0 loss to Twins, spoiling Kyle Bradish’s gem as losing streak extends to 4

In front of their largest crowd since opening day, the Orioles had their worst offensive game of the season.

With an announced attendance of 40,012 on Hawaiian shirt day, Baltimore continued its slump at the plate, totaling just three hits one day after managing only four. The poor performance at the plate spoiled another stellar start from Kyle Bradish, as Joey Gallo’s solo home run in the fourth inning was all the Minnesota Twins needed to win 1-0.

Twins starter Bailey Ober pitched seven shutout innings, and Minnesota’s bullpen followed suit. The three hits the Orioles managed are the fewest they’ve totaled in any of their six shutout losses this year.

One of their best scoring chances came in the ninth inning. Adley Rutschman reached on an infield single off closer Jhoan Duran, and Jorge Mateo pinch ran for the catcher and stole second. But Anthony Santander flied out to right fielder Max Kepler, who made a sliding catch in foul territory, and cleanup hitter Ryan O’Hearn grounded out to first to end the game.

The defeat is the Orioles’ fourth straight, their longest streak of the season. Saturday was game No. 81, marking the midway point of the season. At 48-33, Baltimore is on pace to win 96 games.

Kyle cruises

In June, Bradish emerged as the Orioles’ second-best starting pitcher. He maintained that pedigree in his first July start.

He was no Ober, but Bradish pitched six sharp innings to give the Orioles’ lineup a chance to win — something Kyle Gibson (six runs allowed in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday) and Dean Kremer (seven runs allowed in three innings Friday) didn’t do in the club’s previous two games.

Bradish struck out at least seven for the fourth time in his past five starts after not doing so in his first 10. The lone instance in which Bradish didn’t strike out seven-plus was June 14 against the Blue Jays, when the right-hander twirled seven innings of one-run ball in a game the Orioles also lost.

Over his past five starts, Bradish has a 2.70 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 30 innings. His ERA on the year is down to 3.58.

Around the horn

• The Orioles selected the contract of right-hander Chris Vallimont before Saturday’s game and optioned left-hander Bruce Zimmermann to Triple-A Norfolk. The big-league promotion is the first for Vallimont, who the Orioles selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has a 5.02 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings with Norfolk this season. Zimmermann, a Baltimore-area native, was sent down after pitching for the third time in four games Friday. He allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings across relief outings Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• To make space for Vallimont on the 40-man roster, the Orioles transferred right-hander Mychal Givens (right shoulder inflammation) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day. Manager Brandon Hyde said the move did not signify a change in Givens’ health, although being on the 60-day IL means Givens can’t return until July 31. Hyde said Friday that Givens is going to the team’s facility in Sarasota, Florida, next week and is expected to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment after the All-Star break.

This story will be updated.

Twins at Orioles

Sunday, 12:05 p.m.

Stream: Peacock

Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM

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