Tampa Bay @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 7, Minnesota 0

The Tampa Bay Rays have won 11 straight contests against the Minnesota Twins, the second-longest winning streak against any team in club history. David Price takes the mound Sunday as the Rays try to extend the run and complete a three-game sweep at Minnesota after posting a pair of shutouts. Tampa Bay has won three in a row overall to pull into a tie with the Texas Rangers atop the American League wild-card standings, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians.

The Rays, who won 12 in a row against Baltimore in 2008, have received five hits and a pair of RBIs from Yunel Escobar in the series. The Twins have been blanked in two straight for the first time since May 1-2, 2012 and have lost four straight and eight of 10. Minnesota is second-to-last in the AL in both runs scored and hits.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (8-8, 3.45 ERA) vs. Twins LH Pedro Hernandez (3-1, 5.25)

Price looks to halt a three-start losing streak during which he has surrendered 12 runs - 11 earned - in 22 innings, although the Rays scored a total of only five runs in those contests. He has served up 15 homers in 159 1/3 frames with 131 strikeouts and only 22 walks. Price is 2-2 with a 2.62 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against the Twins.

Hernandez pitched fairly well in his last two outings without receiving a decision, yielding five runs over 10 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old has given up 61 hits over 48 frames in 11 appearances (nine starts) this season with 25 strikeouts and 17 walks. Right-handed hitters are batting .336 with seven home runs against Hernandez, who faces Tampa Bay for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay 1B James Loney is batting .352 on the road with 41 of his 66 RBIs.

2. Minnesota is 30-43 at home this season after finishing 31-50 at Target Field in 2012.

3. The Rays improved to 4-10 in their last 14 games against left-handed starters by beating Andrew Albers on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Twins 1