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Indians-Twins Preview

Aug 14, 2009 - 2:23 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Cleveland (49-64) at Minnesota (55-58), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The top team in the AL Central has given the Minnesota Twins some opportunities to close the gap. Minnesota, however, so far has failed to take advantage of a six-game homestand against the teams with the division's worst records.

After losing a series to a last-place club, the Twins look to snap out of their slump and avoid a 10th loss in 13 games as they open a three-game set against the visiting Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

Minnesota (55-59) dropped two of three against Detroit last weekend to fall 5 1/2 games back of the first-place Tigers in the Central. Detroit followed that series by losing three of four at Boston, but Minnesota didn't capitalize, winning once in a three-game set against lowly Kansas City. It's still five games back.

"When they're losing we need to win," first baseman Justin Morneau said after a 5-4 defeat in the finale Thursday. "It's a little frustrating when you go through that, when we have the chances and we don't get it done."

Joe Mauer homered and drove in all of Minnesota's runs Thursday. He's hitting .488 with three homers, 12 RBIs and eight runs scored during a 10-game hitting streak. He's 12 for 23 (.522) with one home run, three doubles, four RBIs and eight runs scored in six games against Cleveland in 2009.

Despite Mauer's big day at the plate Thursday, the Twins - near the top of the majors with a .273 batting average with runners in scoring position - went 2 for 12 in such situations. Orlando Cabrera grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the sixth.

"That's what we do best and it's very glaring when we don't do those things," second baseman Nick Punto said. "You hate for it to be a let down, but it is when you're used to doing those things right."

The Twins hope to bounce back against the Indians, who have totaled one run in consecutive losses after averaging 6.35 per game while winning 12 of their previous 17. Cleveland (49-65) was shut out Wednesday, then closed a three-game set against Texas with a 4-1 defeat Thursday.

"They shut us down," manager Eric Wedge said.

The Indians hope to have more success at the plate against Twins right-hander Scott Baker (9-7, 4.85 ERA) on Friday. Baker is 5-5 with a 3.51 ERA in 13 starts against Cleveland, including 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA this year.

Baker is coming off one of his worst outings of the season. He was tagged for a season high-tying six runs in 4 1-3 innings against Detroit on Sunday. He didn't get a decision in Minnesota's 8-7 defeat.

Cleveland will counter with Justin Masterson (3-3, 4.22), acquired from Boston in the trade that sent Victor Martinez to the Red Sox two weeks ago.

Masterson, a right-hander who's spent most of the season as a reliever, is 2-2 with a 4.35 ERA in seven starts. He started his first game for the Indians on Saturday, holding the Chicago White Sox to one run in four innings. He left with a 4-1 lead before Cleveland's bullpen struggled the rest of the way in the 8-5 loss.

Masterson pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings of relief in his first appearance against the Twins on May 27.