• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Twins-Rangers Preview

Aug 20, 2009 - 5:14 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Minnesota (57-62) at Texas (67-51), 8:05 p.m. EDT

It's been more than three weeks since the Minnesota Twins won three consecutive games. In that time, they've lost significant ground in the AL Central race.

Looking to build some momentum, the Twins will try to finish with a series win over the Texas Rangers when the clubs close a four-game set on Thursday.

Minnesota (58-62) is trying to win three of four against Texas (67-52). After losing the opener, the Twins have taken the next two, including an 5-4 victory Wednesday.

Minnesota scored four runs in the sixth inning, capped by Orlando Cabrera's RBI single. Joe Crede, Nick Punto and Denard Span also drove in runs during the inning to rally from a 4-1 deficit.

Joe Mauer went 0 for 3, snapping a 15-game hitting streak. The Minnesota catcher walked two times, though, and is still hitting .465 with 20 RBIs this month.

With the victory, the Twins moved within 5 1/2 games of the division-leading Tigers. Minnesota was only two games back of Detroit on July 29 after winning a season-high fourth straight, but went on to lost 12 of its next 16 before the latest wins.

"Wins like this are very important for our team," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The last two nights we've battled against a very good team."

Texas dropped one game behind Boston for the AL wild-card lead. The Rangers had won eight of their previous 11 before the recent defeats, in which they've given up early leads.

Thursday's loss also spoiled the return of Ivan Rodriguez, who was back in a Rangers uniform for the first time since 2002. He went 3 for 4 with a run-scoring double in the fourth inning.

"I've seen it before," manager Ron Washington said. "I don't think anyone around here is surprised. He did a great job back there tonight."

Texas is trying to avoid losing its first home series since dropping two of three to Minnesota from July 17-19.

The Twins will hand the ball to struggling Anthony Swarzak (3-6, 5.87 ERA). Swarzak has lost his last three starts, allowing 18 runs and 25 hits over a combined eight innings. He lasted four innings against Cleveland on Saturday, giving up five runs and two homers in a 7-3 loss.

"It's been a rough few starts, for sure. It's frustrating," Swarzak told the Twins' official Web site. "It's to the point where I feel like I'm letting my teammates down and letting my coaches down and letting myself down at the same time. I just feel like I need to figure this out and hopefully turn it around."

The rookie right-hander hasn't faced the Rangers.

Fellow rookie Derek Holland (6-7, 4.88) will take the mound for Texas.

Holland is 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA in his last four starts. After pitching a three-hitter against the Angels on Aug. 9, he gave up two runs - both on solo homers - over 6 2-3 innings of a 7-2 victory over Boston on Saturday.

The 22-year-old left-hander pitched four innings against Minnesota on July 19, allowing three runs in a game the Rangers went on to win 5-3 in 12 innings.