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Morneau, Twins aim to keep bats alive vs. Mariners

May 9, 2007 - 4:00 PM Chi White Sox (14-15) at Minnesota (17-15) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins hope an offensive outburst from reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau will spark their bats when they take on the Chicago White Sox in the second contest of a three-game series Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Morneau blasted the second of his two homers in the bottom of the 10th to give the Twins a thrilling 7-4 comeback victory over the White Sox. Morneau, who entered the game batting just .095 (2-for-19) with runners in scoring position and two outs, tallied his first four-RBI game since June 14, 2006.

However, as a team, Minnesota was suffering through an even worse drought. The Twins have belted an AL-worst 18 homers, and Morneau's dramatic blast snapped a string of 189 straight plate appearances without a homer.

Many of Minnesota's woes can be attributed to injuries, including those to reigning AL batting champion Joe Mauer (left quadriceps) and left fielder Rondell White (right calf). Right fielder Michael Cuddyer just returned Tuesday after missing five games. On Wednesday, the Twins will throw Ramon Ortiz (3-2, 3.23 ERA), who allowed five runs - four earned - and seven hits in four innings in a 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last Thursday. It was the shortest outing by a Twins starter this season.

Ortiz is 2-3 with a 7.44 ERA - his worst mark against any AL team - in eight career starts vs. the Mariners.

He will be opposed by rookie John Danks (0-4, 5.02), who still is looking for his first major-league win. In his last outing, Danks allowed just three runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings but did not figure in the decision in a 3-2 at Seattle last Wednesday.

Chicago has won two of its last three games after a season-high five-game losing streak.