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Athletics-Twins Preview

Aug 13, 2010 - 5:30 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Oakland (57-56) at Minnesota (64-50), 8:10 p.m. EDT

With Carl Pavano on the mound and their name atop the AL Central standings, the Minnesota Twins couldn't feel much better as they begin a nine-game homestand.

The Twins hope to harness the momentum from a pivotal series victory as they return to Target Field to face the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Minnesota (65-50) and Chicago were tied for the division lead when they began a three-game series this week, but the Twins seized a one-game edge by taking two of three to finish a 10-game road trip.

"It's a battle," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said after Thursday's 6-1 victory. "I don't expect it any other way. ... It's two good teams getting after each other and that's why we're right at the top of our division and we'll hopefully remain there right until the end."

The Central's contenders are scheduled for another three-game set next week, but first the Twins try to extend a four-game home winning streak while welcoming Oakland to Target Field for the first time.

Reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer is still looking for his first home run at the new outdoor ballpark, but he'll bring a red-hot bat into this series. The catcher is hitting .435 with 14 doubles, three homers and 27 RBIs in 23 games since the All-Star break.

He's helped the Twins average more than six runs in that stretch despite playing without star first baseman Justin Morneau, who continues to recover from a concussion.

Jason Kubel has done his best to compensate, homering four times in his last six games, including a three-run shot after an intentional walk to Mauer on Thursday.

Pavano (14-7, 3.28 ERA) has also been vital for Minnesota lately, going 9-1 in his last 12 starts. The right-hander bounced back from his lone loss in that stretch with seven strong innings in a 7-2 win at Cleveland on Saturday.

"He knows how to pitch and he's a leader," Gardenhire said.

Pavano, who has a chance to match New York's CC Sabathia and Tampa Bay's David Price for the AL lead in wins, will make his first home start since July 17, when he beat the White Sox. He's 4-0 with a 2.65 ERA in his last five home outings.

Oakland's Gio Gonzalez (10-7, 3.51) should also be confident as he returns to the mound after pitching seven shutout innings in the A's 6-2 win over Texas on Saturday to secure his first 10-win season.

"Everyone wants to win 10 games or more," Gonzalez said. "This is a difficult milestone. The 10th win is special for me and for the team. I don't want to stop now."

The emerging left-hander also can build on a strong outing against Minnesota. Gonzalez posted a 28.59 ERA in two miserable starts against the Twins last year, but he held them to two runs in seven innings of a 5-4 home win June 6.

"I did my homework this time," Gonzalez said.

The A's (57-56) lost two of three at Seattle to begin their road trip, but avoided a sweep with a 5-1 win Wednesday afternoon. With that victory, Oakland improved to 28-11 in day games, but the first two games of this series are in the evening.

This trip has been frustrating for Oakland prospect Chris Carter, who made his major league debut Monday but went 0 for 9 with five strikeouts against the Mariners.

The A's hoped Carter would provide some power after he hit 27 homers for Triple-A Sacramento this year. Oakland ranks 29th in the majors with 70 homers - one in its last eight games.