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May 9, 2010 - 4:29 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Baltimore (8-21) at Minnesota (19-10), 2:10 p.m. EDT

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire may not want to alter his lineup after it ended a short-lived slump. It would be easy for him to make an exception, however, if Joe Mauer is finally healthy enough to start.

After getting his first at-bat of the month, Mauer could return to the lineup as the Twins conclude a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

The reigning AL MVP struck out swinging with the bases loaded as a pinch-hitter in a 6-1 win over Baltimore in the finale of a doubleheader Saturday. It was Mauer's first plate appearance after missing eight games with a deeply bruised left heel.

"It's pretty exciting, to tell you the truth, to run him up there and get that out of the way," Gardenhire said. "He hadn't swung in a while."

Earlier in the day, Gardenhire said Mauer was getting close to returning to the starting lineup but held him out because he wasn't ready to run the bases at full speed.

If Mauer starts, Gardenhire will likely use him as the designated hitter to save him from the strain of catching.

Despite Mauer's strikeout, Minnesota had its most productive game at the plate since a 10-4 win over Detroit on Monday night.

The Twins fell 7-3 in the first game of the doubleheader after stranding 10 runners in a 2-0 loss in the series opener Thursday night.

"Sometimes those hits go your way. Sometimes they don't. It's a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason," said right fielder Michael Cuddyer, who has five of the Twins' nine home runs in 15 home games.

Rookie Wilson Ramos, who has been starting in place of Mauer, is 1 for 14 after a 7-for-9 start. Still, he could be behind the plate again as Nick Blackburn (2-1, 5.79 ERA) takes the mound.

The right-hander tossed his fourth career complete game Tuesday night, allowing three runs and 11 hits in a 4-3 win over the Tigers. Blackburn surrendered five runs or more in each of his previous three outings.

He has posted an 8.38 ERA in losing his two career starts against the Orioles.

Baltimore (9-22) will counter with Brian Matusz (2-2, 3.93), who has gotten one run to work with over his last two starts - both against New York. He lost each outing despite posting a 3.00 ERA.

The left-hander gave up three runs, one earned, in six innings of a 4-1 loss Tuesday night.

In his only start against the Twins, Matusz didn't receive a decision after allowing three runs in five innings of a 7-6 loss Aug. 25.

Matusz isn't the only Orioles pitcher getting little run support. Baltimore has been held to two runs or fewer in four of its last six games.

Still, the Orioles have a chance to win a road series for the first time this season.

"We're in a position to win three out of four," manager Dave Trembley said. "I haven't been able to say that very often as of late."

Nick Markakis was a bright spot for the Orioles in the doubleheader opener, driving in three runs. The right-fielder, though, went 0 for 4 in the nightcap to have an eight-game hitting streak snapped.