"I'd like to go back in the rotation," said Bonser, demoted to the bullpen to make room for Scott Baker after a terrible May. "But if my job is to go two or three innings, that's what I've got to prepare for."

And preparation is a tricky thing when you're not certain when you're going to pitch. Bonser had to warm up twice, which he said is a difficult adjustment, but he was ready when called upon to pitch the fifth inning.

"That's the most adrenalin I've had in the last couple years," he said. "It was pretty interesting."

Bonser faced nine hitters and struck out four of them. He gave up a single and a walk.

"The biggest thing was his breaking ball -- it was sharp, it made hitters chase," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We're going to have a stronger bullpen with him out there."

TWINS 7, ORIOLES 5: Joe Mauer launched a solo home run into the Metrodome's upper deck and collected two more RBIs on an unusual sacrifice fly, earning the Twins their third win in four games. Jason Kubel also contributed a pair of RBIs, including a sixth-inning triple that completed Minnesota's rally from a 5-2 deficit. He scored the go-ahead run moments later on Delmon Young's sacrifice fly. Boof Bonser earned the win in relief of starter Glen Perkins, who surrendered five runs in four innings.