The Minnesota Twins will get a chance to steal a rare road series against the Toronto Blue Jays as the teams conclude a three-game set Sunday. The Twins ended a six-game slide in Saturday’s 6-0 victory, but have not won a series in Toronto since taking two of three from the Blue Jays from May 27-29, 2005. In order to end its futility across the border, Minnesota will turn to 26-year-old Ontario native Scott Diamond, who is 0-2 with a 7.65 ERA in his last four road starts.
Mike Pelfrey and three relievers handed Toronto its first shutout at home since May 3 as the Blue Jays managed only four singles, including three from Maicer Izturis. The Blue Jays have scored two or fewer runs in three of their last four games and are 4-9 since their franchise record-tying 11-game win streak. However, Toronto is 18-9 at home since May 5 and 39-16 against Minnesota at the Rogers Centre since 2006.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (5-7, 5.18 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Todd Redmond (0-1, 3.52)
Diamond recorded his first quality start since June 2, but it wasn’t enough to factor into the decision during Monday’s 10-4 home setback against the New York Yankees. The left-hander, who has a 6.26 ERA over his last five turns, gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings – his longest outing since May 7. Diamond made both of his career starts against the Blue Jays last season, when he went 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA.
Redmond will make his second major-league start on Sunday after throwing three scoreless relief frames in Wednesday’s 6-2 home loss against the Detroit Tigers. Acquired off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles in March, the 28-year-old has appeared in three games this season but yielded only one run over his last two lengthy relief outings, spanning 6 2/3 innings. The well-traveled Redmond took the loss in his first career start last season as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota 1B Justin Morneau is one home run of tying Bob Allison for fourth on the club's all-time home run list and two hits short of matching Gary Gaetti for seventh on the franchise's all-time hit list.
2. Toronto has won 17 of its last 24 against Minnesota, including eight of 10 at home.
3. Twins 2B Brian Dozier, who homered and drove in a career-high four runs Saturday, is 9-for-25 with seven RBIs in July.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Twins 4