Twins 2 - 3 Diamondbacks
Final
  for this game

Surging D-Backs shoot for sweep of Twins

May 22, 2011 - 2:45 PM

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(Sports Network) - Arizona will look to continue its recent surge this afternoon when the Diamondbacks try to capture the three-game sweep over the Minnesota Twins in interleague action at Chase Field.

The rolling Diamondbacks will turn to their equally red-hot hurler Daniel Hudson. Hudson began the season with four consecutive losses, but since then the flamethrower has won four of his last five outings, and has not allowed more than three runs in any of those starts.

The last time the 24-year-old was on the hill, he held San Diego to just one run in seven innings. Hudson scattered eight hits and struck out six batters. The win also came at home where the hard-throwing right-hander is now 3-2 in five starts this season.

Hudson has made only one previous start against Minnesota, but it was definitely not one to remember. Against the Twins, the young hurler lasted just five innings, allowing three runs -- one earned -- on four hits and four walks.

As for the Twins, they will turn to Francisco Liriano, who is coming off his third win of the season. In that victory the deceptive lefty allowed just one run against Seattle. Liriano tossed seven strong innings, recording nine strikeouts, while walking one batter.

Liriano has been a model of inconsistency this season, trading good performances with bad ones. The southpaw opened the month with a no-hitter, but followed that effort by lasting just three innings in a loss to Detroit. Liriano got back on track with the win over Seattle, but it is hard to figure what pitcher will be on the hill every five days.

There could be a chance the dominating Liriano will be on the hill today since the Twins are on the road. In five road games this season, the lefty is 3-2 with a 3.13 earned run average. He will be tested though, as the Diamondbacks look to continue their strong efforts in their first ever battle with the erratic Liriano.

On Saturday, Kelly Johnson capped off a six-run eighth inning with a grand slam, as the Diamondbacks rallied past the Twins, 9-6.

Juan Miranda went 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Diamondbacks, who have won a season-high five straight games. Gerardo Parra went 3-for-3 with a run batted in.

Micah Owings, making his first start of the season, gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Aaron Heilman (3-0) recorded the final two outs in the top of the eighth to pick up the win.

Danny Valencia went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three RBI for the Twins, who have lost two in a row since a three-game winning streak. Jason Kubel also hit a solo homer.

Scott Baker went five-plus innings in the start for Minnesota, allowing three runs on four hits. He also struck out seven and walked three. Matt Capps (1-3) gave up four runs on four hits in the eighth to suffer the loss.

Minnesota has one of the best marks in interleague play as evidenced by its 140-108 ledger, while Arizona is 92-112 against the American League.

The Twins swept a three-game set in Minnesota when the clubs last met in 2008.






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