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Twins look to hand Royals a ninth straight defeat

Sep 27, 2006 - 3:19 PM Kansas City (58-99) at Minnesota (94-63) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins are gunning for a fourth division title in the last five seasons. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are on the verge of their fourth 100-loss season in five years.

One game off the pace in the American League Central Division, the Twins look to hand the Royals a ninth consecutive defeat in the third of four games at the Metrodome on Wednesday.

The Twins rallied for a 3-2 victory here Tuesday, improving their major league-leading home record to 52-24. Minnesota has won four straight games to improve to 69-30 since being eight games under .500 on June 8.

Seeking an eighth win in their last nine home games, the Twins give the ball to Carlos Silva (10-14, 5.95 ERA). The righthander gave up five runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 7-3 loss at Baltimore on Friday after going 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his previous three starts.

Silva has a lifetime mark of 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA in eight starts against Kansas City, which counters with former Twin Mark Redman (10-10, 5.83). With a win Wednesday, Redman would become the first Royals lefthander with 12 victories in a season since Charlie Liebrandt (13) and Floyd Bannister (12) in 1988.

Redman recorded just one out in his last start Saturday, allowing nine earned runs and seven hits in a 15-4 loss to Detroit. It was a different story the last time he faced Minnesota on August 29 as he pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout.

The Royals have been outscored, 62-21, during their third losing streak of at least eight games this season.