Orioles 4, Twins 2: Nick Markakis drove in three runs and Jake Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings as host Baltimore opened its 2012 season with a victory.

The Orioles, whose 12-5 opening-day record since 1996 is the best in baseball, won for the 10th time in their last 12 season openers.

Markakis got started early, taking a fastball to deep left field for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning off Carl Pavano (0-1). He picked up another RBI with a triple off the right-center wall, with some help from the sun, that scored J.J. Hardy to make it a 4-0 lead in the sixth.

Matt Wieters scored Markakis from third on a chopper in the fourth inning.

Arrieta (1-0) was sharp in his first career opening day start. The right-hander allowed two hits and struck out four, posting four three-up, three-down innings and walking just two batters.

The Twins lost for the seventh time in their last nine meetings with Baltimore and have dropped four straight opening day contests.

Pavano went seven innings in his second consecutive opening day start for the Twins. The veteran right-hander was charged with four runs on five hits while striking out one.

Minnesota threatened in the ninth, cutting the lead in half on Josh Willingham’s two-run homer to left-center field off reliever Troy Patton. Closer Jim Johnson came on and got a groundout for the save with runners at the corners.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Baltimore is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards. … Markakis didn’t hit any of his 15 home runs to opposite field in 2011. … Justin Morneau went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in his first game as the Twins regular DH.