Final
Baker, Twins begin series in Milwaukee
Jun 24, 2011 - 2:53 PMVideo
Baker was brilliant in beating the San Diego Padres on Saturday, as he scattered four hits over eight scoreless innings and struck out 10 to improve to 5-4, while lowering his earned run average to 3.24. That win followed up a complete game gem against Texas that saw him surrender just a run.
The 30-year-old righty has faced the Brewers seven times and is 4-3 against them with a 5.28 ERA.
Minnesota has been one of the hottest teams in the league of late, winning 15 of its last 19 games to move out of the cellar in the American League Central and eight games back of the first-place Cleveland Indians.
However, the Twins dropped the final two games of their three-game set with the San Francisco Giants and were dominated by Tim Lincecum in a 2-1 loss on Thursday.
Michael Cuddyer finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and drove in the lone run for the Twins, whose slide comes on the heels of winning eight in a row.
Brian Duensing (4-7) was the hard-luck loser, as he was charged with six hits and one run with five strikeouts and a pair of walks over 6 2/3 frames.
"This was just a very good pitching matchup," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They just pitched a little better. That's the Duensing we were looking for. He was consistent and has good stuff."
The Twins, who struck out 14 times on Thursday, should get a boost this evening, as designated hitter Jim Thome is expected to be activated from the disabled list prior to tonight's contest. Reliever Joe Nathan was activated after yesterday's loss.
Tonight, though, the Twins go up against the best home team in the NL in Milwaukee, which sports a 26-11 mark at Miller Park this season. But the Brewers lost a home series on Wednesday, falling 6-3 to lose the rubber match of a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Prince Fielder went 2-for-4 and Ryan Braun singled in a run for the Brewers, who have lost seven of their last 10 games. Braun extended his career-high hitting streak to 14 games.
Starter Shaun Marcum was closely monitored because of a strained left hip flexor he suffered June 17. He gave up two runs on two hits while striking out two over three innings.
"We said three innings at first when we talked (prior to the game)," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. "He'll be fine for his next time out."
Getting the call tonight for the Brewers will be veteran left-hander Randy Wolf, who is 5-4 with a 3.15 ERA. Wolf beat the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, as he held them to a pair of runs and nine hits in seven innings.
Wolf, who hasn't lost since falling to the Dodgers back on May 17, lost his only other start to the Twins back in 2002 while with Philadelphia.
Milwaukee won four of its six meetings with the Twins last season.
- MINNESOTA: 3
MILWAUKEE: 4
Final
Jun 24 10:39 PM - Prince Fielder double to right scored Rickie Weeks and Nyjer Morgan with two out. Runner on second and Casey McGehee due up.
Twins 3, Brewers 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsJun 24 10:15 PM - Luke Hughes grounded out pitcher to first. None on with two outs and Tsuyoshi Nishioka due up.
Twins 3, Brewers 2 Top 6, 2 OutsJun 24 9:46 PM - Ryan Braun ground-rule-double to right scored Randy Wolf with two out. On the play, Rickie Weeks advances to third. Runners on second and third and Prince Fielder due up.
Twins 0, Brewers 2 Bot 5, 2 OutsJun 24 9:35 PM - Corey Hart double to right scored Prince Fielder with one out. On the play, Casey McGehee advances to third. Runners on second and third and Yuniesky Betancourt due up.
Twins 0, Brewers 1 Bot 4, 1 OutJun 24 9:19 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
MILWAUKEE: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 24 8:11 PM
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