(Best E Casino) - The
Minnesota Twins will try to keep pace in the AL Central when they take on the
Cleveland Indians today in the finale of a three-game set at Progressive Field.
Nick Blackburn will try to return to the win column when he heads to the hill for the Twins this afternoon. Blackburn has dropped his last two outings, and is winless in four of his last five starts.
The last time Blackburn toed the rubber he did not last through the second inning, as the Yankees pounded the right-hander for six runs (three earned) on seven hits.
It has been a bumpy road away from home for Blackburn, as the 26-year-old is just 2-4 with a lackluster ERA of 4.83 in 11 starts.
Jeremy Sowers will head to the hill for the Indians, as he will shoot to build off his first victory of the season. Sowers, who was 0-5 in his previous nine outings, finally grabbed a win when he lead Cleveland to a 9-6 decision over Seattle back on July 19th.
The southpaw did not pitch particularly well in the contest, surrendering four runs on five hits and four walks in just six innings of work.
The 25-year-old has been tortured on the road this season, posting an 0-1 mark with a 5.23 ERA in four outings. In 20 2/3 innings on the road, Sowers has allowed 12 runs on 28 hits and 13 walks.
Last night, Brian Buscher's three-run homer capped a six-run first inning, as the Twins trounced the Indians, 11-4.
Buscher finished 3-for-5 and knocked in a career-high five runs for the Twins, who snapped a five-game skid. Delmon Young had three hits, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs, while Jason Kubel was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Scott Baker (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits in five-plus innings of work to notch the victory for Minnesota.
Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona (4-3) struggled in his return from the disabled list, allowing a career-high nine runs on seven hits with three walks in just 2 1/3 innings. Carmona had been sidelined since May 24 with a left hip strain. Tom Mastny tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Jhonny Peralta was 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored for Cleveland, which had won eight of its last 11 games coming in. Andy Marte added a solo home run.
Minnesota is 7-4 against the Indians this season and swept a three-game stint against the Tribe at the Metrodome earlier this year.
