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Twins-Phillies Preview

Jun 18, 2010 - 5:39 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Minnesota (38-28) at Philadelphia (34-30), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins couldn't get much done against the most dominant starter in the majors.

They seek to bounce back to continue their strong play in NL ballparks Friday when they open a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Looking to cap off its nine-game homestand with a sweep of Colorado, the Twins (38-28) failed to score until the eighth inning a 5-1 loss Thursday as Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez improved to a major league-best 13-1.

"We got to him toward the end but he was already well above 100 pitches," center fielder Denard Span told the Twins' official website. "Definitely Cy Young."

Winners of five straight interleague series on the road, Minnesota faces a Philadelphia club that's dropped 17 of 20 at home versus AL foes.

Having Joe Blanton (1-5, 7.28 ERA) on the mound may not help the Phillies (34-30) improve that mark.

The right-hander gave up career highs of nine runs and 13 hits in four innings of Saturday's 10-2 loss at Boston, falling to 0-3 with a 10.18 ERA in his last four starts.

"I've been pretty horrible," he told the Phillies' official website.

Blanton is 1-4 with a 5.05 ERA in his last five starts versus Minnesota.

The Twins will counter with Nick Blackburn (6-3, 4.96), who is also looking to bounce back from a rough stretch.

After yielding five runs and 10 hits in each of his previous two outings, the right-hander allowed two runs over seven innings of Saturday's 3-2 loss to Atlanta, striking out a season-high five.

"Finally, everything mechanically worked out," Blackburn said. "... If I continue to make those adjustments I should be all right."

Blackburn, who has never faced Philadelphia, is 0-2 with a 8.10 ERA in three starts this month after going 5-0 with a 2.65 ERA in five May outings.

He'll take on a Phillies club trying to win three straight for the first time since a four-game streak May 14-17.

Philadelphia took the final two of their three games at the New York Yankees this week including a 7-1 win Thursday, marking the first consecutive wins for the two-time defending NL champs in nearly two weeks.

The Phillies now host the Twins for the first time since dropping two of three June 21-23, 2002, at the old Veterans Stadium. The last matchup between these clubs was also at a now-defunct venue. Philadelphia won two of three at the Metrodome in 2004.

Then a rookie, Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer was 4 for 8 with a homer in that series. The defending AL batting champion is expected to be in the lineup Friday after manager Ron Gardenhire used him as a pinch-hitter Thursday.

Mauer has struggled against the NL, batting .267 with two RBIs in nine interleague games this season.

Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson could be activated from the disabled list Friday after missing the last 16 games with a sprained left wrist.

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who has not played since May 21 due to a strained right calf, will not play in the opener but could be activated from the disabled list for Sunday's series finale.

Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino is batting .375 with two homers in six games at Citizens Bank Park this month.