Detroit @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 11, 2010 ) Minnesota 6, Detroit 3
After an unimpressive road trip, the Minnesota Twins will be glad to be back at Target Field. Especially considering they have one of the best home records in the American League.
The Twins look to continue their strong play at home on Tuesday when they begin a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers.
Minnesota returns to Target Field after a seven-game road trip that produced just three victories.
On Sunday, Michael Cuddyer gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning with his 12th home run of the season. But Carl Pavano was unable to hold it, allowing two runs in the bottom of the frame en route to his third straight loss.
At home, the Twins own a 40-22 record, second in the AL only to the New York Yankees' 43-22 mark. They hope to improve upon it as well as put some distance between themselves and the Chicago White Sox, who trail the AL Central leaders by four games.
The Twins, who are kicking off a nine-game homestand, have won 11 of their last 13 here. Minnesota also has dominated Detroit at Target Field, winning five of their first six meetings.
Brian Duensing also has thrived at home, going 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA in two starts since joining the rotation. Overall, the left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.66 in seven starts after making 39 appearances out of the bullpen.
On Wednesday, Duensing allowed four runs and six hits in six innings of a 4-3 loss at Texas.
The 27-year-old has made nine appearances - two starts - against the Tigers in his career, going 1-1 with a 2.28 ERA.
Detroit posted its seventh win in 10 games Sunday, when it recorded a 10-4 victory at Toronto. Ryan Raburn homered twice and drove in four runs, Casper Wells went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and Rick Porcello allowed one run and three hits over seven innings.
The Tigers, who trail the Twins by 10 games, start their amazing comeback attempt with Armando Galarraga, who is just 1-4 in his last 10 outings.
Galarraga has pitched better over his last two starts, going 1-0 while yielding only one run over 13 1/3 innings. He allowed that run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings against Kansas City on Wednesday but settled for a no-decision in Detroit's 4-3 loss.
The 28-year-old owns a 1-6 record and 6.14 ERA in 10 games, including two relief appearances, vs. the Twins. On June 29, he gave up six runs and seven hits in four innings en route to an 11-4 loss at Target Field.
Joe Mauer is hitting .450 (9-for-20) against Galarraga with two home runs and 10 RBIs, while Denard Span is 9-for-16 (.563) with four RBIs.
Galarraga has struggled on the road this year, going 1-2 with a 6.44 ERA.