MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — James McCann hit a three-homer and Heston Kjerstad went deep to launch the Baltimore Orioles into the postseason with a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins that completed a three-game sweep on Sunday. Albert Suárez (9-7) pitched six smooth innings to end a rough September on a better note, allowing solo home runs to Carlos Santana and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. among four hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Jordan Westburg added a two-run single for the Orioles, who finished 91-71 for the first of three American League wild-card spots and will face either Detroit or Kansas City in the first round of the playoffs. After posting the best record in the AL last season at 101-61, the Orioles were disappointingly swept in the best-of-five division series by a surging Texas team that went on to win the World Series. Injuries piled up this summer, contributing to the 10-game regression, but a lineup loaded with still-young talent led by the likes of Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and Westburg should give the Orioles as good of a chance at a championship as any team in the league after the frustrating experience last fall.
Baltimore will play in a second straight postseason for the first time since eventual Hall of Fame member Mike Mussina was fronting the rotation in 1996-97. The Orioles reached the 90-win mark in consecutive years for the first time since 1982-83. Their most recent World Series title came in 1983.
Twins starter Bailey Ober (12-9) gave up thre.
