Minnesota @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2010 ) Minnesota 5, Philadelphia 9
The Philadelphia Phillies are showing signs of awakening from their offensive slumber.
After spending the last four weeks with their bats surgically attached to their shoulders, the Phillies have scored 22 runs and belted six homers during their current three-game winning streak.
One of the chief sleepwalkers during the malaise had been Chase Utley, but the talented second baseman was able to resist the snooze alarm on Friday.
Entering the contest batting .257 with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs, Utley launched a three-run home run and added an RBI single as Philadelphia cruised to a 9-5 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.
Ryan Howard was not to be outdone as he belted a pair of solo home runs, an RBI triple and a double to hand AL Central-leading Minnesota its fourth loss in its last six contests.
The Phillies (35-30) will look to keep the offense going in pursuit of their fourth straight win and fifth in six outings when they face the Twins (38-29) on Saturday.
Philadelphia is averaging 7.3 runs during its modest three-game winning streak - a stark contrast from its 2.3 average during a 5-14 stretch from May 22-June 12.
Looking to benefit from the potential offense is left-hander Cole Hamels (6-5, 3.74 ERA), who was downright dominating as he helped the Phillies avoid a three-game sweep against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.
The 26-year-old southpaw allowed one run and five hits while striking out eight to record his fifth straight quality start in the win.
The Twins will counter with right-hander Kevin Slowey (7-4, 3.48 ERA), who was not as fortunate in his last outing. The 26-year-old Texas native allowed four first-inning runs en route to a short outing against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
As a result, Slowey saw his three-game winning streak come to an end.
Facing Philadelphia for the first time, Slowey will look to improve his spectacular interleague record. He is 7-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 13 outings.