Rockies at Twins (Game 2)
The Minnesota Twins look to set a franchise record of 17 consecutive contests with a home run on Thursday, when they play a split doubleheader to conclude their three-game interleague series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Byron Buxton belted a solo shot in Tuesday's series-opening 7-3 setback to tie the mark of 16 straight games with a homer set by the 1979 club, but the bats were held at bay as inclement weather forced the postponement of Wednesday's contest.
Colorado's Charlie Blackmon launched a towering two-run homer to cap his second straight three-hit performance and improve to 8-for-12 with four runs scored in his last three games. Ian Desmond is enjoying quite the run as well, going 7-for-19 with two doubles and three RBIs during his season-high five-game hitting streak. While the Rockies have won three straight contests away from Coors Field to improve to a franchise-best 12-5 on the road, Minnesota is mired in a three-game skid at home and fell to 8-11 at Target Field. The Twins will turn to Jose Berrios in the nightcap, with the promising youngster coming off a scintillating outing in his season debut.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 5.25 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (1-0, 1.17)
Chatwood surrendered five runs for the third time in his last four outings as a brutal second inning spelled disaster in a 5-2 setback versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The 27-year-old hasn't done himself any favors with his lack of control, issuing four walks for the second time in three turns and 17 free passes in his last five. Chatwood has limited experience against the members of the Twins, having only faced Jason Castro (0-for-2).
Berrios excelled in his season debut on Saturday, allowing just one run and two hits over a career-high 7 2/3 innings in a 4-1 triumph at Cleveland. Perhaps the lone distraction for the 22-year-old came in the form of a pesky squirrel, who refused to vacate the premises at Progressive Field. Berrios hasn't let much bother him in 2017, as he posted a 3-0 mark and led the International League with a miniscule 1.13 ERA in six starts at Rochester before being recalled last Friday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in five straight contests overall and is riding an interleague hitting streak of 15 games.
2. Colorado LF Gerardo Parra belted a solo homer in the series opener, marking his second hit in 13 at-bats (six strikeouts).
3. The Twins are 6-12 when their starting pitcher throws fewer than six innings.