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Brewers-Twins Preview

May 21, 2010 - 5:19 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Milwaukee (15-25) at Minnesota (24-16), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers hardly know how to react after a victory these days, but they'll head into interleague play having finally put their lengthy losing streak to rest.

The Minnesota Twins' skid hardly compares, but they're certainly anxious to see it end.

Minnesota's three-game slide has dropped it into a first-place tie in the AL Central, but it'll try to get back on track by beating the Brewers for the 10th time in 13 tries Friday night at Target Field.

The Brewers (16-25) were outscored 68-31 in losing nine straight heading into Thursday's finale at Pittsburgh, and appeared on their way to hitting double digits after falling behind 3-0 in the first inning.

But instead of letting the Pirates pile on, Milwaukee's pitching staff came up big while the offense did just enough. The Brewers held Pittsburgh to three hits the final eight innings, and Carlos Villanueva pitched a perfect ninth for his first save in a much-needed 4-3 victory.

"I'm just happy that we got the win today," Villanueva, who is at least temporarily replacing the struggling Trevor Hoffman, told the Brewers' official website. "Hopefully it's the start of a new streak."

While the victory certainly was a relief to Ken Macha's club, it can't be looking forward to interleague play - or facing the Twins (24-17). Milwaukee was 5-10 against the AL in 2009, and outscored 39-19 in losing five of six to Minnesota.

The Twins have won nine of 12 overall in the series, getting plenty of production from their big hitters. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are hitting a combined .322 with 20 RBIs, while Jason Kubel has homered five times in 29 at-bats.

Those three haven't provided much offense over the past three days, however. The trio is a combined 5 for 30 (.167) with 10 strikeouts, as Minnesota has been held to two runs and six hits in each loss.

The Twins' 6-2 loss in Boston on Thursday capped a 2-5 road trip and marked their first three-game slide since Sept. 10-12.

"It will just be good to get home," Mauer told the team's official website. "These two-game series, it seems like we've been on the road for awhile."

Minnesota tries to bounce back against Dave Bush (1-4, 4.27), who is 0-3 despite in his last four starts as Milwaukee has provided him just three runs of support.

Bush walked four and allowed nine hits over six innings Sunday against Philadelphia, but only allowed three runs in a 4-2 loss.

The right-hander is 1-5 with a 4.38 ERA in six starts versus Minnesota, though Morneau is hitting just .188 against him.

Nick Blackburn (4-1, 4.63) has received plenty of run support, but after a shaky April he's been solid in May. Blackburn is 3-0 with a 2.35 ERA after allowing three runs over seven innings Sunday in a 6-3 win at Yankee Stadium.

"This is as good as it has been," Blackburn said. "There was no point where I had to make adjustments."

Blackburn is 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in two starts against Milwaukee. Ryan Braun is 4 for 7 against Blackburn, while Corey Hart's two hits in seven at-bats are both homers.

Both players involved in an offseason swap between the clubs have been injured, but it appears Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez (rotator cuff) will return from the disabled list Friday to face his former team.

J.J. Hardy's return, meanwhile, will have to wait. The shortstop, who had an eight-game hitting streak before hitting the DL with a left wrist contusion, is sidelined until Monday.