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Resurgent Twins shoot for short sweep of White Sox

Jun 16, 2011 - 2:35 PM (Sports Network) - It may be coming along slowly, but an outstanding June has the Minnesota Twins thinking they can still take a run at the American League Central title.

Even better, Minnesota will be getting some help over the next few days.

With Joe Mauer expected to return on Friday, the Twins are slated to start infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka for the first time in over two months as they wrap up a rain-shortened two-game set with the Chicago White Sox today at Target Field.

After waiting an extra day to get these series started, Minnesota hurled its way to a 4-1 victory last night thanks to Carl Pavano's second complete game of the year and 16th of his career. He gave up one run on six hits, while Delmon Young drove in two runs.

"That was a great win," Pavano said. "I can't say enough about the plays the guys made behind me."

Danny Valencia and Alexi Casilla added an RBI each for the Twins, who have won three straight and 10 of their past 12 contests to get within two games of fourth-place Kansas City in the division. Minnesota was 16 1/2 games back of first place in June 1, but now sits nine games out of the top spot.

Getting Mauer back for Friday's opener with San Diego will be big, especially with Justin Morneau landing on the disabled list Tuesday due to a strained left wrist. Mauer hasn't played since April 12 due to bilateral leg weakness.

It's been even longer for Nishioka, who has missed 59 games since fracturing his left fibula on April 7, when Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher slid into him at second base. Nishioka, though, was activated from the 60-day DL yesterday and is expected to start at shortstop tonight. He began the season as Minnesota's starting second baseman, but Alexi Casilla will shift to that spot.

Brent Morel knocked in the lone run for the White Sox, who lost for just the third time in their last eight. Gavin Floyd also went the distance for Chicago, but couldn't match Pavano in his eight-inning outing after being charged with four runs on 11 hits.

"[Pavano's] not a guy that's out there just throwing," White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn said. "He's got an idea of what he's doing. He really made some good pitches when it mattered most."

The White Sox failed to homer for the first time in 12 games as their struggles in Minnesota continued. The Twins have won 23 of their last 29 at home over the White Sox, taking six of nine from them at Target Field a season ago.

Minnesota has also taken 25 of its past 31 meetings overall with Chicago, going 13-5 versus the club last year before sweeping a two-game set in the Windy City back on May 3-4. Francisco Liriano opened that set for Minnesota with a no-hitter, striking out two while walking six.

The Twins turn this afternoon to Nick Blackburn, who hasn't lost since April 28 and has won each of his past four decisions. The righty, though, did take a no-decision last Thursday versus the Texas Rangers after giving up four runs -- two earned -- on a season high-tying 10 hits, two homers and a walk in 7 1/3 innings of work.

"I made a few mistakes and they made me pay for them," Blackburn told the Twins' website. "That's just what [the Rangers] do. They hit home runs. They have some big hitters and they're always going to get you with the home runs. So it's hard to go out there because you feel like you have to execute every pitch. But I felt pretty good."

Blackburn is 5-4 with a 3.47 earned run average in 13 starts this year and will try to duplicate his outing versus the White Sox on May 4. He recorded a victory on that day, throwing 6 2/3 innings of one-run, four-hit ball to move to 7-5 with a 3.76 ERA lifetime against Chicago.

Mark Buehrle tries to secure a third straight winning start as he toes the rubber for the White Sox.

Buehrle has won five of his last six starts and the southpaw hasn't allowed more than three runs in seven consecutive outings, posting a 3.00 ERA in that span. He held the Athletics to three runs on seven hits over seven innings to secure a win last Thursday, improving to 6-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 13 starts this season.

Buehrle, 31, has faced the Twins 47 times in his veteran career, having gone 25-18 with a 4.09 ERA.