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Hunter, Twins hope offense continues to come alive vs. Mariners

Aug 15, 2007 - 1:36 PM Minnesota (59-60) at Seattle (66-51) 4:35 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) - The Minnesota Twins try to build on an impressive offensive performance when they meet the Seattle Mariners in the rubber game of a three-game series on Wednesday.

Torii Hunter had three hits and scored a career-high four runs as the Twins snapped a five-game losing streak with Tuesday's 11-3 rout. The outburst marked the just the second time in 13 games that the Twins scored more than three runs.

Having lost seven of its last nine, Minnesota is quickly fading in the American League Central and trails the Detroit Tigers (66-53) by seven games.

But Tuesday was a good sign and now Scott Baker (6-5, 4.76 ERA) looks to keep the momentum going. Baker saw his personal two-game winning streak come to a halt on Friday when he allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

As for Seattle (66-51), it had its three-game winning streak snapped and trails the Angels (69-48) by three games in the AL West, but leads the New York Yankees (67-52) by one percentage point in the wild card race.

Jarrod Washburn (8-9, 4.30) looks for his first win over a month for Seattle. The lefthander is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in his last six starts and has not won since July 4.