Rockies at Twins
The Minnesota Twins look to set a franchise record of 17 consecutive contests with a home run on Wednesday when they play the second of a three-game interleague series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Byron Buxton belted a solo shot in Tuesday's series opener to tie the streak of 16 straight contests with a homer set by the 1979 club, but Colorado benefited from a pair of blasts to slug its way to a 7-3 victory.
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 Colorado has 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 home losing skid and fell to 8-11 at Target Field. The Twins will turn to veteran right-hander Ervin Santana, who has allowed one run or less in seven of his eight outings this season.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (1-2, 4.88 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (6-1, 1.50)
Marquez recorded his second scoreless outing in his last three trips to the mound last Wednesday, as he did not surrender a hit through six innings and just three over eight in a 3-0 win versus the Chicago Cubs. The 22-year-old Venezuelan rookie retired 16 straight batters at one point and struck out eight for the second time in three contests. Marquez added his first major-league hit with a two-run single, earning himself an ovation from his teammates.
Like Marquez, Santana also has two scoreless outings in his last three starts and did himself one better on Friday by allowing just two hits over seven frames in a 1-0 victory at Cleveland. The 34-year-old Dominican worked his way out of trouble despite five walks, raising his total to 21 in 54 innings this season. Santana, who has permitted six homers among his nine runs allowed in 2017, owns a 2-1 mark with a 6.31 ERA in four career starts versus Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in five straight contests overall and is riding an interleague hit 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 with six strikeouts.
3. The Twins are 6-12 when their starting pitcher throws fewer than six innings.