Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2011 ) Kansas City 7, Minnesota 3

THE STORY: The Minnesota Twins are on the cusp of triple-digit losses. They can avoid that indignity by winning their last two games of the season. The task won't be easy as they face the Kansas City Royals, who have won 11 of their last 14 games. Ron Gardenhire's club has dropped 20 of its last 23 to claim the worst record in baseball. Righthander Anthony Swarzak will get the call on Tuesday for the Twins, while righty Steve O'Sullivan will make his first start since biceps tendinitis put him on the disabled list in June.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSKC (Kansas City), FSNO (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Steve O'Sullivan (2-5, 6.92 ERA) vs. Twins RH Anthony Swarzak (3-7, 4.42 ERA)

After working his way back in Triple-A Omaha, O'Sullivan is ready to return to the mound for Kansas City. Before departing with his injury, O'Sullivan struggled mightily by yielding 30 runs on 39 hits in his last four starts. In his last outing, O'Sullivan allowed seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Twins.

Swarzak is searching for his first win since Aug. 3 - a span of 10 starts. The 26-year-old has lost four in a row, but pitched well in his last outing. Swarzak permitted two runs on nine hits over six innings, but settled for a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. He did secure his lone career victory against the Royals when he tossed six solid innings on June 2.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (71-89): Melky Cabrera became the first Kansas City player in 11 years to record 200 hits with an infield single in the first inning of Monday's 7-3 triumph. Cabrera was the sixth Royal to accomplish the feat, and the first since Johnny Damon and Mike Sweeney accomplished the feat in 2000. Cabrera's previous best was 149 hits in 2007 while with the New York Yankees. Several rookies also made their presence felt on Monday. Mike Moustakas belted a solo homer to highlight a four-run sixth inning. The blast was his fifth homer of the season and fourth in 11 games. Fellow first-year player Salvador Perez drove in a pair of runs and rookies Johnny Giavotella and Eric Hosmer added run-scoring sacrifice flies.

ABOUT THE TWINS (61-99): With two hits - including his 20th homer of the season - Michael Cuddyer has hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games. He also has secured seven multi-hit games during that stretch. Cuddyer is 4-for-11 in his career against O'Sullivan. Rookie Rene Tosoni had an RBI single on Monday to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He has collected RBIs in four of his last five contests. Fellow first-year player Ben Revere went 0-for-4 on Monday to see his career-high 13-game hitting streak come to an end.

FINAL PITCH: "I'm very thankful for the Kansas City Royals organization for giving me the chance to play here every day. I never thought this offseason I would have a season like I’ve had, but I work hard and try to do my best to improve my game.” - Cabrera, through an interpreter.