(Best E Casino) - The
Minnesota Twins will try to bring their recent skid to a halt when they take on the
Cleveland Indians tonight in the second game of a three-game set at Progressive Field.
The Twins are coming off a beating from the New York Yankees in which they were outscored 25-7 in a three-game set.
Hopefully for the Twins Scott Baker can bring the team back in the win column. Baker has been extremely consistent for Minnesota this year, and is currently holding a 6-3 ledger with a 3.26 ERA.
The last time Baker toed the rubber the right-hander was sensational, tossing eight strong innings in which he surrendered just one run on two hits, while striking out eight batters. Unfortunately the Twins were unable to produce a single run, strapping Baker with a 1-0 setback to Texas. It was the first loss for Baker since falling to Milwaukee 4-2 back on June 15th.
The 26-year-old has been really tough in two starts against Indians this season, allowing just two runs in 14 innings of work. However, thanks to a lack of run support, his hard work against the Indians has resulted in a 0-1 ledger.
The trade of C. C. Sabathia opens the door for the team to find its new ace, and while Cliff Lee is having a career year, the Indians are hoping Fausto Carmona will be the staff's main pitcher for years to come.
Carmona, however, has been on the disabled list since May 25th with a hip injury, but before the right-hander suffered the injury he had a 4-2 ledger with a solid 3.10 ERA in 10 starts.
The last time the 24-year-old was on the hill, he lasted just two innings against the Rangers. In the 13-9 loss to Texas, the right-hander was pounded for six runs on five hits and three walks.
On Friday, Cliff Lee struck out 10 batters in eight innings as the Indians hung on for a 5-4 victory against Minnesota.
Lee (14-2) yielded two runs on six hits while Rafael Perez closed out the ninth for his first save.
Franklin Gutierrez was 2-for-3 with a home run and a double while Grady Sizemore was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored to help snap Cleveland's two-game slide.
Livan Hernandez (10-7) went eight innings allowing five runs on 12 hits and three walks while striking out six for the Twins, who have lost five in a row.
Denard Span was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI while Justin Morneau homered for Minnesota.
Minnesota is 6-4 against the Indians this year and swept a three-game series against the Tribe at the Metrodome from July 4-6.