Minnesota @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2013 ) Minnesota 4, Seattle 0

Justin Morneau’s power stroke has been missing much of the season and the former American League MVP seeks his second straight solid offensive outing when the Minnesota Twins wrap up a four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners. Morneau smacked his eighth homer of the season – for his first RBI since the All-Star break – during a two-hit day on Saturday as Minnesota posted a 4-0 victory. Morneau hasn’t hit 30 homers in a season since 2009.

Seattle is vying for a split of the four-game set and tallied just two total runs in back-to-back defeats after being Minnesota 8-2 in the opener. The Mariners have lost three of four games since stringing together eight straight wins and are still without manager Eric Wedge (mild stroke). The Twins have won eight of their last 11 games but remain 11 games below .500.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-2, 5.72 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (1-0, 8.71)

Gibson has allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his five major-league starts. He has given up just 14 hits in 17 innings over his past three turns after giving up 19 in his first two outings. Gibson received a no-decision in his last outing when he gave up two runs and five hits in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

Ramirez is making his third major-league start of the season and picked up his second career victory in his last outing. He gave up three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings while beating the Cleveland Indians. Ramirez has given up eight homers in 69 1/3 career innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota is 10-5 against AL West teams this season, while Seattle is 8-14 against AL Central squads.

2. Mariners OF Raul Ibanez is hitless in 12 at-bats in the series and is 2-for-24 over his last seven games.

3. The Twins have turned 122 double plays, most in the majors.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, Mariners 2