Blue Jays 2 - 0 Twins
Final
  for this game

Twins hope to end home woes versus Blue Jays

Sep 8, 2013 - 12:12 PM (Sports Network) - Rookie Andrew Albers tries to put a miserable start behind him on Sunday when the Minnesota Twins conclude a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field.

Albers will also be aiming to end the Twins' nine-game home losing streak.

Another defeat for them on Sunday would be the team's first 10-game home drought since Sept. 15-29, 1957, when the franchise was still known as the Washington Senators.

Toronto added to Minnesota's home woes on Saturday, as Adam Lind launched a pair of three-run homers to help the Blue Jays to an 11-2 rout.

Lind's first homer sparked Toronto's five-run first inning, while his second came in the ninth to put the finishing touches on the Blue Jays' fourth win in their last five games.

"Adam's always been a good player for this organization," manager John Gibbons said. "I don't know how the team will stack up next year. But I don't think he needs to audition. He's proven himself over time."

Munenori Kawasaki knocked in two runs and Brett Lawrie collected three hits, including a solo homer, to provide more than enough run support for J.A. Happ (4-5), who scattered five hits and three walks while allowing just an unearned run over 5 2/3 frames.

Oswaldo Arcia and Josmil Pinto each knocked in a run for the Twins, who have dropped three in a row overall.

Kevin Correia (9-11) pitched well after his shaky first inning, but was charged for five runs on seven hits over six innings to absorb the loss.

"They jumped on pitches early," Correia said. "It was pretty quick. Usually, I can make adjustments, but they just caught me. There were a handful of guys I hadn't faced, and so it was kind of a guessing game early. They jumped on a few pitches and took advantage in the first."

Now the Twins turn to Albers, who opened his big league career by throwing 17 1/3 scoreless innings in two wins. However, he is 0-2 in four starts since and has allowed five runs in three of those outings. His worst showing came on Monday in Houston, as he allowed five runs and nine hits in just 1 2/3 innings to balloon his ERA to 3.96. Amazingly, though, he did not get a decision in his team's 10-6 win.

"Fortunately today (Anthony) Swarzak came in and really picked me up and the offense, and was outstanding today and it makes you feel a little bit better about it," Albers said. "But at the same time, you've got to be better."

Toronto, meanwhile, will counter with righty Esmil Rogers, who is 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA. Rogers was terrific in Arizona on Monday, as he held the D'Backs to just one hit over 6 1/3 scoreless innings.

"He did a heck of a job for us; he really did," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "Just a great outing by him."

Toronto took two of three from the Twins earlier in the season.






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