• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Twins-Royals Preview

Aug 22, 2009 - 5:35 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Minnesota (58-63) at Kansas City (47-73), 7:10 p.m. EDT

With one of their star players sidelined, the Minnesota Twins leaned heavily on another one to help keep pace in the AL Central playoff chase.

After pulling out a dramatic victory behind closer Joe Nathan, the Twins go for their fourth win in five games Saturday night when they visit the Kansas City Royals.

Minnesota (59-63) has struggled to stay in playoff contention with a 14-19 record since the All-Star break, and the loss of AL RBI leader Justin Morneau doesn't help the club's cause.

Morneau, who's already missed Minnesota's last four games, will be sidelined at least two more with lingering effects from a right inner ear infection.

Without him, the Twins overcame an early three-run deficit against the Royals on Friday night. Nathan blew his fourth save of the year but picked up the win after Orlando Cabrera plated Alexi Casilla with a triple in the 10th inning.

Over two innings, Nathan - a four-time All-Star - threw 53 pitches, his highest total since Aug. 20, 2000.

"To come out of the game right there, there's no chance," Nathan said. "Right there, I'm going to win it or lose. I felt like that was a situation for me to get this game done."

The Twins stayed 6 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Detroit and pulled within three of second-place Chicago.

Though the Royals (47-74) are in last place in the Central with the AL's worst record, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire doesn't expect the remaining two games in this series to be easy ones.

"When we play the Royals, it's a mess," Gardenhire said. "It's always is a mess because neither team gives up, neither team quits and there's always strange things happening during the games."

With the loss in the opener, Kansas City fell to 3-13 at home since the All-Star break. It could have a tough time improving on that mark with Kyle Davies (4-8, 5.92 ERA) taking the mound.

Davies has given up eight runs in each of his last two starts at Kauffman Stadium to fall to 3-5 with a 9.07 ERA in nine games at home.

However, the right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA over his last two starts, including a win at Minnesota on Aug. 11. He held Detroit to two runs in six innings of the Royals' 3-2, 10-inning victory Sunday.

Davies is 4-4 with a 4.12 ERA in eight starts against Minnesota.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer, batting .500 with two homers, eight RBIs and seven runs scored in 10 games against the Royals this season, is a career .421 hitter against Davies. Outfielder Jason Kubel is 6 for 14 (.429) with two doubles and four walks against him.

The Twins will counter with Brian Duensing (0-1, 5.09), making his second major league start. The left-handed rookie, who's made 14 relief appearances, held the Chicago White Sox to two runs and three hits in five innings of his only previous start July 29. He didn't get the decision in Minnesota's 3-2 victory.

In his first game against Kansas City on Aug. 11, Duensing gave up three runs and five hits in 1 2-3 innings as Minnesota fell 14-6.