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Minnesota Twins have an opportunity to gain further ground on the
Chicago White Sox when the two American League Central inhabitants resume an important four-game series tonight at the Metrodome.
Minnesota trimmed Chicago's advantage atop the division to 1 1/2 games with a 7-0 victory in Monday's opener. Kevin Slowey threw his second career shutout with an outstanding showing on the mound, while both Justin Morneau and Denard Span slugged two-run homers during a four-run third inning for the Twins.
Slowey (7-7) gave up six hits and walked just one in a dominating 102-pitch effort. The young right-hander added five strikeouts and threw 71 pitches for strikes.
Morneau finished 2-for-3 with three RBI on the evening, while Brendan Harris contributed a two-run double to the winning effort.
Mark Buehrle (8-9) served up both Morneau and Span's homers and allowed five runs (4 earned) on eight hits in just five innings, the Chicago ace's shortest outing since May 27.
Monday's triumph was the Twins' 16th in their last 19 games at the Metrodome, and the club is a tremendous 35-19 as the host this season.
In contrast, Chicago is just 24-29 on the road for the year, compared to a 35-16 mark at U.S. Cellular Field.
The home team has also excelled so far during this year's season series between these clubs. Chicago has won seven of nine matchups with the Twins in the Windy City, but Minnesota swept a two-game set from the Sox at the Metrodome from April 29-30.
Minnesota will attempt to close the gap tonight behind Glen Perkins. The rookie left-hander has posted an impressive 7-3 record with a 4.06 earned run average in 15 starts this season, although he's coming off a rough showing in his last time out.
Against the Yankees in New York last Wednesday, Perkins surrendered five runs on eight hits over six innings to take the loss in a 5-1 Minnesota setback. That snapped a string of three consecutive winning starts and five straight winning decisions for the former first-round pick.
Prior to Wednesday's defeat, Perkins hadn't lost in nine starts since being beaten by the Yankees on May 30.
Perkins made his first career start against the White Sox in Chicago on June 9 and came away with a no-decision after allowing three runs over 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old also has three relief appearances versus the Sox on his resume.
Chicago will pin its hopes on the untested Clayton Richard tonight. The 24- year-old was called up from the minors last week to replace the injured Jose Contreras in the rotation and had a so-so big league debut.
Richard struck out seven Texas hitters in just four innings on Wednesday, but was also reached for five runs (4 earned) on seven hits before exiting with a no-decision. The White Sox went on to win the game by a 10-8 count.
Prior to his promotion, Richard won all six of his starts for Triple-A Charlotte while compiling a 2.37 ERA.
