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Rangers-Twins Preview

May 28, 2010 - 5:44 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Texas (26-21) at Minnesota (27-20), 8:10 p.m. EDT

Given their results at the Metrodome over the previous nine seasons, the Texas Rangers are probably more than happy the Minnesota Twins have a new home this year.

Struggling for victories on the road, the Rangers are hoping they can make their first trip to Target Field a winning one as the division leaders open a three-game series Friday night.

Texas was 70-85 in the 28 seasons it played indoors against Minnesota but dropped 30 of its final 46 at the Metrodome.

While trying to change their fortunes in the Twin Cities, the Rangers (26-21) will also attempt to win for the second time in their last eight games away from home Friday. After avoiding their second six-game road losing streak this season Tuesday, they fell 5-2 to Kansas City the next day.

The Rangers produced six hits, but Michael Young went 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

"We just didn't put enough runs to make a difference," said manager Ron Washington, whose team has lost three of four following its season-high five-game win streak.

Texas right-hander Colby Lewis (4-2, 3.45 ERA) will try to get his team, which leads the AL West by 1 1/2 games, back on track by building off his first interleague win last week. Lewis allowed one run and five hits over six innings to help the Rangers edge the visiting Chicago Cubs 2-1 on May 21.

Lewis did not get a decision in his only start against the Twins - in the Metrodome - on Sept. 7, 2003.

In this trip to Minnesota, he'll face a team that's batted .309 in its last six games and finally delivered some power in Thursday night's 8-2 win over the visiting New York Yankees.

Jason Kubel hit a pair of home runs - Minnesota's first in nine games - and helped his team avoid a season-high fourth consecutive defeat.

The Twins, who lead the AL Central by 1 1/2 games, have 12 homers in their first 24 games at Target Field compared with 25 in their first 24 last season at the Metrodome.

"It hasn't been flying here," Kubel said. "But if you pull the ball, it can get out. So maybe that's the key."

Minnesota's Denard Span had a pair of hits to tie Young for the most in the majors this month (37). Justin Morneau has 35, while the Rangers' Vladimir Guerrero is 33 for 96 (.344) with 10 homers and 29 RBIs.

Guerrero, however, has batted .241 in 42 career games against the Twins - his lowest average versus any opponent - and hit .221 in 23 contests at the Metrodome. A change in venue could help, but he's also 1 for 8 lifetime against Friday's starter, Kevin Slowey (5-3, 4.53).

The right-hander was denied his fourth win in five starts Saturday despite allowing two runs over 5 2-3 innings against visiting Milwaukee. The Brewers scored five times in the ninth inning before the Twins rallied for an eventual 8-7, 12-inning victory.

Slowey allowed one run and four hits over six innings in his only start against the Rangers but also didn't get a decision in a 5-4 win on Sept. 17, 2007.