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Floyd hopes to solve Twins in Chicago

May 22, 2012 - 3:03 PM (Sports Network) - Gavin Floyd once again tries to solve the Minnesota Twins this evening when the Chicago White Sox start a three-game set against them at U.S. Cellular Field.

Floyd has lost his last seven starts to the Twins and is a mere 4-10 lifetime against them with a 5.67 earned run average in 15 starts. However, over the course of the slide he has pitched to a 7.65 ERA. Another loss tonight would make him the first White Sox pitcher to drop eight consecutive starts against one opponent since Tommy Thomas fell to the New York Yankees from 1926-28.

If Floyd is going to avoid that dubious distinction, though, he is going to need to be better than he was his last time out. Floyd absorbed the loss on Friday in Anaheim, as he surrendered seven runs and 10 hits in six innings, dropping him to 3-4 on the year and raised his ERA almost a run to 3.44.

Chicago enters this series riding a season high-tying four-game winning streak following a three-game sweep of the Cubs over the weekend that culminated with a 6-0 win on Sunday.

The White Sox have scored at least six runs in five of their last seven games.

"Everybody's been doing their part," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Starting pitching, the relievers, hitters getting timely hits and playing defense. When you put those together you're going to have a good chance."

Minnesota, meanwhile, had a season-best four-game winning streak stopped on Sunday with a humiliating 16-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Starter Jason Marquis was unable to get out of the second inning in that one, as he surrendered eight runs to get the loss.

Despite their recent run, the Twins still own the worst mark in the majors at 14-27.

Tonight, they turn to righty P.J. Walters, who is 1-1 in two starts with a 3.65 ERA. Walters picked up his first win of the year on Thursday in Detroit, as he held the Tigers to three runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. All three runs he allowed were solo home runs.

"I don't like to give up home runs, but the offense gave me a little room to work with there, so it didn't hurt us," Walters said of his last start.

Minnesota split its nine overall matchups with the White Sox last season, but has won 17 of the last 22 on the road in this series.