0-19 : Twins’ Homers Beat Orioles, 4-2

The Baltimore Orioles stumbled to 0-19 and staggered to within one game of the longest losing streak in American League history, falling to the Minnesota Twins, 4-2, Tuesday night on two home runs by Kent Hrbek and another by Randy Bush.

It seemed like this would be the Orioles’ night to win when Fred Lynn opened the game with a home run. Instead, it suddenly disintegrated into another disaster when Hrbek’s 2-run homer and Bush’s solo shot in the sixth inning wiped out Baltimore’s 2-0 lead and gave the Twins their second victory in eight games.

Not even an encouraging telephone call from President Reagan to Baltimore Manager Frank Robinson on Monday could help the Orioles, who had champagne on ice in their clubhouse in case they won.

Baltimore can tie the AL mark of 20 consecutive losses, last done by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1943, with another loss tonight in Minnesota. The major league record is 23 consecutive losses by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961.

The Orioles’ slide is the longest losing streak in the majors since Detroit’s 19-game streak in 1975.

“I guess it’s going to take a shutout, no matter how long it goes: 15 or 20 innings,” Robinson said. “Mike Morgan threw a shutout this year for 10 innings and we still didn’t win the ballgame.

“So evidently, we’re going to have to throw a shutout. Give up no runs until we score a run.”

Said Morgan: “I know we won’t lose 162 games. That’s a fact. And I’m gonna throw another shutout somewhere along the line.”

Frank Viola, undefeated at the Metrodome since last May 22, pitched 3-hit ball for seven innings. He did not allow a hit after Cal Ripken’s run-scoring double in the third inning, and Jeff Reardon finished with hitless relief for his fifth save. Viola (2-1) struck out nine and won for the 13th straight time at home.