Peter Schmuck: Not your typical Orioles’ Opening Day victory, but that might be a good thing

BALTIMORE – The Orioles have made a habit of winning on Opening Day, even when they didn’t have the kind of talent that came down the orange carpet on Thursday at Camden Yards.

They have even made a habit recently of delivering some major beatdowns, scoring in double digits in each of their previous three openers.

So, you might be tempted to feel a bit of disappointment that the upgraded Orioles lineup did not explode, but it’s possible that their 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins was the perfect way to kick off what they hope will be a big comeback season.

It was a tense, well-played game that put a spotlight on areas that were considered to be problematic when the club opened spring camp six weeks ago. Fans didn’t know what to think with projected infield starters Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg destined to start the season on the injured list and the bullpen not exactly populated with marquee names.

So, who would have thought that third baseman-in-training Coby Mayo would start two critical double plays to help starting pitcher Trevor Rogers escape middle-inning jams and the bullpen would protect a slim lead to survive a terrific performance by Twins ace Joe Ryan.

Well, new manager Craig Albernaz probably did, since he wrote out that lineup card, registered his first victory as a big league manager and was rewarded with a clubhouse beer shower that forced him to change his clothes for his postgame media session.

It was, for him, a perfect day, from the Opening Day ceremonies to the raucous crowd of 42,134 that pumped up the volume even while the offense was being held to just one hit through the first six innings.

“That was awesome,’’ he said. “It just shows how the fans were into it and we felt them all game. Obviously, it was great to pull out the win in front of them. The whole place was electric today.”

Of course, the stands will not always be so full, but the fact that Mayo stepped up big-time, even registering the team’s first stolen base of the season, and top prospect Samuel Basallo delivered a huge hit to lead off the two-run seventh inning showed that the new guys might be ready for prime time.

Mayo, in particular, showed any skeptical fans that he is not a liability at third, even though the team seemed to give up on him playing that position last year.

“It just shows me he’s ready for the moment,’’ Albernaz said. “All the work he’s put in … you always go back to the preparation and that’s something that Coby has laid that foundation in spring training. He was getting after it today. He still has and he still will, and I’m confident in him over there.”

Rogers wasn’t at his best, allowing the leadoff hitter to reach base in five of his seven shutout innings, but he showed why he was one of the most effective pitchers in the game over 18 starts last season.

Tyler Wells allowed a run in his first outing as one of the club’s main setup guys, but new closer Ryan Helsley flashed his 100-plus mile-per-hour fastball and a nasty splitter to record a no-doubt save.

The fans will have to wait at least a couple more days to see the upgraded batting order explode. Slugger Pete Alonso got a standing ovation when he walked to the plate in the first inning, but the top of the O’s lineup could not figure out Ryan. New leadoff hitter Taylor Ward, Gunnar Henderson and Alonso combined to go 0-for-11, but that doesn’t figure to happen very often.