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Twins-Brewers Preview

Jun 25, 2009 - 4:35 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Minnesota (36-36) at Milwaukee (37-33), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Now that the Milwaukee Brewers have finally beaten the Minnesota Twins this season, they can focus on trying to win their first home series in a month.

After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Brewers meet the Twins in the decisive finale of a three-game set Thursday afternoon at Miller Park.

Jason Kendall's two-out double in the eighth inning tied the game, and he scored after two throwing errors on the same play to lift Milwaukee (38-33) to a 4-3 win Wednesday and even the interleague series between these border rivals.

Though the Brewers are 18-15 at home, they've won twice in their last eight at Miller Park since sweeping a three-game set against Cincinnati from May 29-31.

Milwaukee also snapped a five-game losing streak versus Minnesota (36-37), which had won the previous four meetings in 2009. Mike Cameron and Ryan Braun each had two hits for the Brewers, who are 5-9 in interleague action.

"I'd say the intensity level was way up there," said Brewers manager Ken Macha, who wasn't pleased with his team's effort in a 7-3 loss Tuesday night. "You make your own breaks."

Cameron is 4 for 11 (.364) in his last three games and 2 for 5 with a pair of homers against Minnesota starter Scott Baker.

Baker (4-6, 5.22 ERA) tries a third time for his third straight winning decision. He allowed three runs and six hits while striking out six in 6 1-3 innings of a 6-5 loss to Houston on Saturday.

The right-hander, 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his last four starts, is 3-2 with a 5.01 ERA against the Brewers. He gave up three runs in 8 1-3 innings May 24 in a 6-3 win over Milwaukee.

Minnesota's Joe Mauer singled Wednesday after going hitless in his previous 12 at-bats. The star catcher is batting .394 in 48 games since coming off the disabled list (kidney surgery). He's 6 for 16 (.375) with five RBIs in five games versus the Brewers this season.

The Twins are 9-5 in interleague play but have lost three of their last four.

"Kind of unbelievable," manager Ron Gardenhire said of his team's latest loss. "I don't know if there's a way to describe how tough that ended up."

With Dave Bush on the disabled list because of a triceps tear, journeyman right-hander Mike Burns was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to make his first career start for Milwaukee in this contest.

"I'm really excited," Burns told the Brewers' official Web site of his first start after making 46 relief appearances since entering the league in 2005. "I've spent all my time (in the majors) in the bullpen, so it's going to be fun."

Burns, who turns 31 next month and went 7-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 12 starts for Nashville, pitched four scoreless innings of relief on June 2 at Florida in his only appearance for the Brewers this season.