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Twins-Orioles Preview

Jul 25, 2010 - 4:13 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Minnesota (51-46) at Baltimore (31-65), 1:35 p.m. EDT

With Justin Morneau out and the team possibly losing another bat in their lineup, Delmon Young's increased production at the plate is coming at the perfect time for the Minnesota Twins.

Young tries to lead the Twins to their first road series win in a month as they complete a four-game set versus the Orioles on Sunday.

Minnesota (52-46) defeated Baltimore 7-2 on Saturday for its seventh win in 11 games. The Twins, who haven't been in first place in the AL Central since July 2, moved within two games of division-leading Chicago.

Young homered and finished 4 for 4 with three RBIs. The four hits tied a career high for Young, who is batting .467 with 15 RBIs over the last 11 games.

"I don't want to even think about it. I just want to show up every day and go out there and play," said Young, who has a team-high 73 RBIs. "I don't even like you talking about it right now."

Young's surge at the plate comes after he hit .288 in his previous 18 games, which Minnesota was 5-13 in.

His torrid stretch is especially important for Minnesota with Morneau sidelined due to a concussion, and the Twins debating whether to place second baseman Orlando Hudson on the disabled list with a strained ribcage muscle.

Hudson, who is hitting .285, left in the third inning of Friday's 3-2 loss and did not play Saturday. Alexi Casilla went 1 for 4 in his place.

Minnesota hasn't won a road series since taking two of three at Philadelphia from June 18-20, but the Orioles' struggles make it possible for the club to end a four-series road losing streak.

Baltimore (31-66) is 2-7 entering the finale of its 10-game homestand, scoring 26 runs and batting .242. The Orioles went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position Saturday.

However, Luke Scott went 2 for 4 with a home run, improving to 11 for 24 with four homers since he came off the disabled list Monday. Matt Wieters is expected to be activated from the DL on Sunday after being sidelined since July 15 with a strained hamstring.

He'll face Kevin Slowey (8-5, 4.94 ERA), who looks to make a second straight strong start.

After giving up five runs in three innings against Chicago on July 15, he allowed three runs over 5 2-3 innings of a 4-3 defeat to Cleveland on Tuesday. Slowey didn't factor in the decision.

"He did a good job tonight," manager Ron Gardenhire told the Twins' official website. "As I told you before the game, our goal was for Slowey to pitch well. All that other stuff takes care of itself, we'll figure it out as we go."

However, the right-hander is 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in two starts against the Orioles, giving up seven runs and three homers over nine innings.

Jake Arrieta (3-2, 4.87) will counter for Baltimore. He gave up five runs and issued two home runs over 5 1-3 innings of an 11-10, 13-inning win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The rookie right-hander, who had made it through six innings in his previous three starts, is facing the Twins for the first time.