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Athletics-Twins Preview

Sep 12, 2009 - 11:17 PM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Oakland (63-77) at Minnesota (70-71), 2:10 p.m. EDT

The AL Central leaders have stalled, allowing the Minnesota Twins a chance to make up some ground in the race. Minnesota, however, hasn't taken full advantage.

The Twins look to avoid a three-game sweep by the Oakland Athletics on Sunday at the Metrodome.

Detroit has the best record in the Central, but its recent struggles have kept the door open for Minnesota (70-72) to make a move. The Twins, though, have dropped seven of 10, including consecutive home defeats to the A's.

Minnesota, which won 11 of 14 before slumping, has been held to two runs or fewer five times in its last 10 games.

"We're just not playing very good," first baseman Justin Morneau said. "It's hard to describe it. We're just not scoring runs like we were. The frustrating part is that we know we have the guys to do it."

Minnesota lost the series opener 12-5 on Friday night before totaling six hits in a 4-2 defeat Saturday. Major league batting leader Joe Mauer and Morneau - the 2006 AL MVP - combined to go 1 for 7.

"Any time you hold those guys to one hit, it limits their offense," Oakland starter Brett Anderson said. "So I feel pretty good about that."

The A's (64-77) are the only team in the AL West without a winning record, but they've won five of six. Like the Twins, they managed only six hits Saturday, but also made the most of their chances. Three of their six walks led to runs and their five stolen bases tied a season high set Wednesday against Chicago.

"When we get on, we're going to make things happen," said shortstop Cliff Pennington, who had three hits, a stolen base and an RBI. "We're not going to stand around."

The A's hope to continue their strong play against Brian Duensing (2-1, 3.94 ERA), who will take the mound for the Twins trying to continue his smooth transition to the rotation.

The rookie left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts since he was moved from the bullpen. He has a 2.48 ERA in five starts overall.

Duensing gave up three runs and six hits in five innings and didn't get a decision in Minnesota's 6-3 loss at Toronto on Tuesday. He has a 9.00 ERA in three innings spanning two relief appearances against Oakland.

The A's will counter with rookie left-hander Gio Gonzalez (5-5, 5.76). He held Seattle to two runs and six hits in a season-high seven innings to win 5-2 last Sunday.

Gonzalez hopes to fare better in the series finale than in his first start against the Twins. He gave up 11 runs in 2 2-3 innings against them on July 20, the highest earned run total yielded by any pitcher in a single game this season. Despite Gonzalez's dismal outing, the A's rallied for a wild 14-13 victory.

Morneau, batting .100 over his last 20 games to see his season average drop 27 points to .274, homered off Gonzalez twice in that game - his only two career at-bats against him.