Baltimore 3, Minnesota 1

Orioles 3, Twins 1: Jason Hammel dazzled in his Orioles debut, tossing eight strong innings as host Baltimore completed a three-game sweep with a victory over the slumping Twins.

J.J. Hardy had a first-inning home run and Wilson Betemit added a two-RBI double in the sixth for the Orioles (3-0), who have won seven straight and nine of their last 11 against Minnesota. The Twins, who finished an American League-worst 63-99 in 2011, are 0-3 for the first time since 1981.

Hammel (1-0), who spent the previous three seasons with the Rockies, carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Justin Morneau ripped a leadoff double off the right-field wall. The right-hander gave up two hits, three walks and struck out five.

Jim Johnson worked a perfect ninth to earn his second save and 10th straight save dating back to last season. 

Anthony Swarzak (0-1) gave up four hits and a pair of walks in five innings in a spot-start situation after scheduled starter Liam Hendriks was hospitalized with food poisoning late Saturday. 

After Morneau broke up the no-hitter, Josh Willingham followed with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 3-1. But Hammel struck out a pair of batters and then induced a flyout to pinch-hitter Chris Parmelee to end the threat. 

Baltimore outscored the Twins 15-5 in the series after outscoring them by a combined 44-16 margin in eight games last year.

GAME NOTEBOOK: All three Orioles starters went at least seven innings in the series … Baltimore started 4-0 last year but dropped nine of their next 13 to fall below .500 … Nick Johnson stole his first base since July 18, 2009 … Baltimore hasn’t started 3-0 in back-to-back seasons since 1996 and 1997 … Joe Mauer went 1-for-10 with a run and RBI in the series.

• Baltimore will play their next game at home against NY Yankees. The Orioles have a W/L % of 1.000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
• Minnesota will play their next game at home against LA Angels. The Twins have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.