Sep 9, 2008 - 8:31 AM
0 shoutsKansas City (61-81) at Minnesota (78-65) 8:10 p.m. EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- A visit from the Kansas City Royals is exactly what the Minnesota Twins may need to end their recent slump.
After losing five of their last six games, the Twins try to continue their domination of the Royals when the teams open a series on Tuesday.
Minnesota has fallen 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox (80-62) in the American League Central Division after suffering a three-game sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays and dropping two games to the Detroit Tigers over the weekend.
However, the Twins have nine victories in 12 meetings with Kansas City in 2008 and have won all four series against their division counterparts.
Rookie Nick Blackburn (9-8, 3.71 ERA) is also looking to get back on track against the Royals after posting an 0-2 record in his last four starts.
Despite his recent troubles, Blackburn, 26, was stellar in his last outing against Kansas City, allowing two runs and eight hits while striking out four in 8 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision during the Twins' 4-3, 12-inning victory on May 27.
Brian Bannister (7-14, 5.56), who is 0-8 over his last 12 starts, counters for the hapless Royals, who have finished over .500 just once since 1994.
From the Bleachers
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KANSAS CITY: 2
MINNESOTA: 7
Final
Sep 9 10:45 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY JUSTIN MORNEAU (23) TO RIGHT WITH 2 OUT
IN THE 4TH OFF BRIAN BANNISTER SCORED ALEXI CASILLA.
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2, MINNESOTA 7
DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J KUBEL (.274, 0-FOR-2)
Sep 9 9:29 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY JOE MAUER SCORED DENARD SPAN.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A CASILLA ON FIRST, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2
MINNESOTA 5 BOTTOM, 4TH
DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.311, 1-FOR-2)
Sep 9 9:27 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY BRIAN BUSCHER SCORED DELMON YOUNG.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, B BUSCHER ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2
MINNESOTA 4 BOTTOM, 3RD
DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: N PUNTO (.288, 1-FOR-1)
Sep 9 9:07 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY JOSE GUILLEN SCORED DAVID DEJESUS.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J GUILLEN ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2
MINNESOTA 3 TOP, 3RD
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: B BUTLER (.278, 0-FOR-1)
Sep 9 8:58 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY CARLOS GOMEZ SCORED BRIAN BUSCHER.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, N PUNTO ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1
MINNESOTA 2 BOTTOM, 2ND
DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: D SPAN (.303, 1-FOR-1)
Sep 9 8:45 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY MIGUEL OLIVO (12) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 1
OUT IN THE 2ND OFF NICK BLACKBURN.
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1, MINNESOTA 1
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: R SHEALY (.273, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
Sep 9 8:33 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
GROUND OUT BY JOE MAUER SCORED DENARD SPAN.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 0
MINNESOTA 1 BOTTOM, 1ST
DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.310, 22 HR, 117 RBI)
Sep 9 8:26 PM
