White Sox at Twins
The Minnesota Twins are mired in the franchise's worst start in 112
years (0-8) seek their first win of 2016 when they host the Chicago White Sox
in the finale of a three-game series on Thursday afternoon. Minnesota has scored just 13 runs thus far this season after being blanked 3-0 by Chicago on Wednesday.
The worst start in Twins franchise history came in 1904, when it lost the first 13 games of the campaign while known as the Washington Senators. Minnesota recorded just four hits in Wednesday's defeat and went hitless in six at-bats with runners in scoring position to drop to 5-for-61 in that situation this season. The White Sox received a two-run homer in the 3-0 victory from journeyman Jerry Sands, who has played for a different team in each of his last four seasons. "You want a lot of guys chipping in and doing something to help you win games," Chicago manager Robin Ventura told reporters. "It's not like we're clubbing people 11-0 and everybody's getting four hits a night. You're seeing guys come through."
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Mat Latos (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (0-0, 2.25)
Latos had a stellar debut for Chicago, allowing just one hit over six scoreless innings in a victory over Oakland on April 7. The 28-year-old is attempting to regain the form that helped him win 14 games three times between 2010-13. Latos slipped to 9-15 over the past two seasons while being employed by four different teams before the White Sox signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal in the offseason.
Santana received a no-decision in his last outing despite giving up just two runs and six hits in six innings against Kansas City. He is 6-6 with a 3.83 ERA in 18 career appearances (17 starts) against the White Sox and picked up the win in his lone 2015 outing versus Chicago after giving up two runs and six hits in seven innings. Santana has experienced good success against Austin Jackson (1-for-17) and Jimmy Rollins (1-for-11).
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins LHP Glen Perkins (shoulder), the three-time All-Star closer, was placed on the disabled list Wednesday.
2. Chicago LF Melky Cabrera has recorded three consecutive two-hit performances and is 6-for-13 during the stretch.
3. Minnesota C Joe Mauer (.393) and SS Eduardo Escobar (.367) have 11 hits apiece while the rest of the roster has a combined 33.