Twins at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have been scuffling since a hot start and have not won back-to-back games since a four-game streak from April 15-18. After coming from behind to grab a win against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, the Tigers are hoping to get a streak started at the expense of the worst team in the majors. The Minnesota Twins became the last team in the majors to reach 10 wins over the weekend and were promptly swept in a two-game series by Cleveland.
The Twins are last in the American League in runs scored and runs allowed, leading to a major-league worst run differential of minus-72. They were shut out, 5-0, by the Indians on Tuesday but hope to get an offensive boost on Wednesday when Justin Morneau comes off the disabled list. The former MVP was batting .230 in 20 games before going down.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), FSD (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Nick Blackburn (1-4, 7.18 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (3-3, 5.18 ERA)
Blackburn surrendered three home runs and was charged with five runs in five innings last time out but still managed to pick up his first win. The right-hander has allowed five runs in four of his six turns and has yielded seven homers in 31 1/3 total innings. Blackburn is 4-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 13 career games - 11 starts - against the Tigers. Cabrera is 13-for-29 (.448) with three homers and 13 RBIs against Blackburn.
Porcello had a string of back-to-back quality starts come to an end at Oakland last week, when he was knocked around for four runs and nine hits in five innings. He issued a season-high three walks in that one. Porcello is 6-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 12 career starts against the Twins. Morneau is 3-for-16 with a homer off Porcello.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Twins CF Denard Span (hamstring) was held out of the lineup Tuesday but should be back soon.
2. Tigers closer Jose Valverde left Tuesday’s game with two outs in the ninth due to tightness in his lower back.
3. Detroit slugger Prince Fielder broke out of an 0-for-22 slump by going 6-for-9 in the past two games.