Twins launch five homers, top Orioles 6-1

MINNEAPOLIS — Nelson Cruz hit two of the Minnesota Twins’ five home runs off Baltimore in a 6-1 win over the Orioles on Friday night.

Cruz, Eddie Rosario and C.J. Cron hit consecutive home runs in the first inning off Alex Cobb (0-2), with Cruz and Rosario connecting on back-to-back pitches. Max Kepler homered off Cobb in the fourth, and Cruz homered against Gabriel Ynoa in the fifth.

Baltimore has allowed 64 home runs in 27 games — no other major league team had given up more than 46 entering Friday.

Cruz had his second multihomer game this season after going deep twice last weekend in Cobb’s previous start. Minnesota scored 26 runs and hit 11 homers — three off Cobb — in a three-game sweep at Baltimore last weekend.

Rosario has 11 homers, all since April 6, and 22 RBIs in his last 17 games.

Martin Perez (3-0) gave up one run and six hits in six innings.

Cobb allowed five runs — four earned — and six hits in four innings.

Dwight Smith Jr. singled in a run for Baltimore in the sixth.

Trey Mancini had three hits for Baltimore. Mancini has hit safely in eight straight games and entered the day leading the AL in hits.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: RHP Matt Magill (right shoulder tendinitis) was activated from the injured list. Minnesota sent RHP Chase De Jong outright to Triple-A Rochester. … Manager Rocco Baldelli said Miguel Sano (cut right heel) homered in an extended spring training game. Baldelli said Sano is not yet ready to begin a rehab assignment.

UP NEXT

Following an extra day of rest, RHP Jose Berrios (3-1, 2.97 ERA) starts Saturday against the Orioles, who counter with RHP Dan Straily (1-1, 8.59). Berrios gave up a season-high four runs in six innings at Baltimore on April 20. Straily opposed Berrios in that last outing, yielding three runs in five innings.