MLB: Baltimore 4, Minnesota 1 (6 inn.)

BALTIMORE, May 7 (UPI) -- Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer in the first Wednesday and Baltimore, after four rain delays, downed Minnesota 4-1 in a game stopped after six innings.

The contest was halted after rain delays totaling three hours, 47 minutes. The contest started 42 minutes late because of the persistent showers and the longest rain delay was 87 minutes in the top of the fourth.

The blast by Markakis highlighted a three-run first inning. Luke Scott drove in the other two Baltimore runs, helping the Orioles win for just the second time in nine games.

Brian Bass (1-1), who took over after the second delay, allowed a run on four hits over 2 2/3 innings to get the win.

Kevin Slowey (4-1) survived three innings, giving up three runs on six hits to take his first loss of the year.