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Rangers-Twins Preview

Aug 30, 2009 - 4:13 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Texas (71-56) at Minnesota (64-64), 2:10 p.m. EDT

Scott Baker's resurgence has helped the Minnesota Twins fight their way back into the AL Central race.

On Sunday, though, he'll try to help Minnesota bounce back after it was on the other end of a stellar pitching performance.

Baker looks for his seventh straight victory when the Twins host the Texas Rangers, who are trying to improve their playoff chances as well.

Minnesota (64-65) is in second place in the Central, 4 1/2 games behind the Tigers. The Twins had a chance to cut into that lead Saturday after Detroit lost earlier in the day, but Texas' Scott Feldman and three relievers combined to hold Minnesota to four hits in a 3-0 loss.

"You can't worry about that," starter Carl Pavano said of the standings. "It's just got to be a day at a time. You've got to worry about yourself. Obviously the standings do mean something, but if you're losing ... it doesn't matter."

The Rangers (72-56), who have won four of six, remained 2 1/2 games behind Boston for the AL wild card.

It was another difficult game for Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau, who went 0 for 4 for a second straight night to fall to .105 in the past five contests. He had missed the previous six because of an inner ear infection.

Morneau isn't the only one to struggle lately as Minnesota has been held to three or fewer runs in four of the last five games.

Baker (12-7, 4.47 ERA) didn't receive much support in his last outing but was able to win his third straight start.

The right-hander, 6-0 with a 3.10 ERA since losing to the Yankees on July 7, has gone 10-1 since June 1 after starting the season 2-6 with a 6.32 ERA. He gave up one run and four hits in seven innings of a 2-1 victory over Baltimore on Monday.

"I think it's been the same objective the whole season," Baker told the Twins' official Web site. "You obviously continue to make adjustments. I felt like I was on the right path the whole time. It just started to work out."

Baker has won both starts against the Rangers this season, allowing five runs while striking out 14 in 13 1-3 innings.

Texas is closing out a nine-game road trip, looking to win two of the three series. The Rangers opened the stretch by losing two of three to Tampa Bay but bounced back to take two of three against New York. They haven't won a series at the Metrodome since 2006.

Texas will hand the ball to Kevin Millwood (10-8, 3.63), who is looking for his first career victory against Minnesota.

Millwood won for the first time in five starts Tuesday despite allowing five runs and walking five over 5 2-3 innings in a 10-9 victory against the Yankees.

The right-hander lost 5-4 to the Twins on Aug. 19 after allowing five runs in 5 2-3 innings. He is 0-7 with a 6.18 ERA against them in his career.

Morneau is 6 for 16 with two doubles and three homers against Millwood while Orlando Cabrera is hitting .315 (28 for 89) - the most at-bats by any player against Millwood.