Twins 6 - 9 Diamondbacks
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Owings to make season debut for D-Backs against Twins

May 21, 2011 - 2:46 PM

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(Sports Network) - Micah Owings will make his season debut this evening when he leads the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Minnesota Twins in the second contest of an interleague series at Chase Field.

After beginning his career with Arizona, Owings will be putting on a Diamondbacks uniform for the first time since being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2008. In two years with the Diamondbacks Owings never really got it going for the club, posting just a 14-17 ledger.

However, after signing with the D-Backs as a free agent he has made seven starts for Triple-A Reno and the right-hander has put together some solid numbers, winning three of those starts, while collecting 27 strikeouts in 39 innings.

The Twins have been one of the most disappointing teams in the majors this season, but they will look to turn things around, beginning tonight when Scott Baker takes the hill.

However, Baker has just one win in his last four starts, and is coming off a loss to Seattle. In the setback, the right-hander struck out eight batters, but allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.

The loss dropped Baker to 2-2 on the road this season, but despite the mediocre road ledger the 29-year-old still possesses a strong 2.90 earned run average as the visitor.

Baker has made just one career start against Arizona and in that matchup he was victorious after surrendering just one run in six innings.

Yesterday, Ryan Roberts had a three-run double and Stephen Drew belted a solo shot, as the Diamondbacks escaped with an 8-7 win over Minnesota.

Kelly Johnson drove in two runs while Ian Kennedy pitched 7 2/3 strong innings for Arizona, which has won four straight games. Kennedy (5-1) allowed four runs on six hits.

Trevor Plouffe, Danny Valencia and Michael Cuddyer each had solo shots for the Twins, who had a three-game win streak halted. Jason Kubel had two RBI in defeat but had a key strikeout in the ninth where the Twins scored three runs.

Brian Duensing (2-4) was saddled with the loss for Minnesota, allowing five runs on seven hits over six-plus innings.

Minnesota has one of the best marks in interleague play as evidenced by its 140-107 ledger, while Arizona is 91-112 against the American League. This is the first matchup between the teams since the Twins won all three meetings with the D'Backs in 2008 at the Metrodome.






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