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Twins aim to stay hot in matchup with Padres

Jun 18, 2011 - 3:09 PM (Sports Network) - Triumphant in Joe Mauer's return from the 60-day disabled list last night, the Minnesota Twins will attempt to carry the momentum into this evening's clash with the San Diego Padres in the second of three interleague games from Target Field.

Mauer knocked in a run in his first action since April 12 in yesterday's 6-5 decision over the Padres, extending the Twins' current winning streak to five games.

"It felt so good just to get back in the atmosphere and go home," Mauer admitted. "I was real excited to get out there with my teammates and get a win."

Another victory by the home team doesn't figure to be easy, however, as the red hot Tim Stauffer will take the mound for San Diego with an impressive scoreless innings streak intact. Since allowing five runs on June 2 against the Astros, the righty has tossed 15 consecutive scoreless frames, including seven in a no-decision against Washington on Sunday.

Stauffer didn't figure into the decision of his only previous career start against Minnesota.

Scott Baker carries a 4-4 record and a 3.55 ERA to the bump for Minnesota today, and he has walked just 23 batters this season while striking out 78 in 82 2/3 innings. The righty was dominant last Saturday, pitching nine brilliant innings of one-run ball.

Baker's only previous career start against San Diego was a successful one, as he allowed three earned runs in six innings en route to a victory.

On Friday, Danny Valencia hit a three-run homer in a five-run first inning, and Ben Revere knocked in the deciding run in Minnesota's one-run triumph.

Michael Cuddyer added an RBI for the Twins.

Brian Duensing (4-6) worked six innings for the win, allowing seven hits and two runs while fanning five. Matt Capps turned in a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.

Ryan Ludwick hit a three-run homer and Chase Headley finished 4-for-5 with two doubles and drove in the other two runs for the Padres, who have dropped six of seven.

Clayton Richard (2-9) was tagged in defeat for 10 hits and six runs -- five earned -- over five-plus frames.

"That first inning, no doubt...not many good things happened for us," said Padres manager Bud Black. "We battled back, outhit them, got their closer in the game and put the stress back on them. We had momentum on our side as the game went on because we played much better."

San Diego is a staggering 9 1/2 games out of first place in the NL West, while Minnesota is eight games back in the AL Central.

San Diego and Minnesota are squaring off in a series for the first time since the Twins swept a three-game set at Petco Park in 2008. The Padres are 97-131 against the American League, while the Twins own a stellar 141-109 mark in interleague play.