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Twins look to continue success against Orioles

Aug 25, 2007 - 1:38 PM Minnesota (65-63) at Baltimore (58-69) 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) - The Minnesota Twins seek their third straight win over the Baltimore Orioles when the teams continue a four-game series Saturday.

On Friday, the Twins overcame a four-run deficit for a 7-4 win. They pulled within five games of first-place Cleveland in the American League Central Division,

The Twins posted a 5-2 win in the series opener. They have won three in a row overall, scoring a total of 20 runs.

In order to extend its three-game winning streak, Minnesota hopes 23-year-old Matt Garza (2-4, 3.30 ERA) can rebound from his worst start of the season. In a 9-4 loss to Seattle on Monday, he allowed a season-high seven runs and nine hits over just 2 1/3 innings.

Garza's track record suggest he should have a good outing as he is 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA in four starts on the road as opposed to 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA at the Metrodome. Overall, Garza is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles.

Baltimore will respond with Radhames Liz (NR), who will be making his major league debut. The 24-year-old righthander has emerged as a top pitching prospect in Baltimore's minor league system, mostly on the strength of his 11-4 record and 3.22 ERA in 25 starts for Class AA Bowie.

Liz's promotion comes at the expense of Brian Burres, who was transitioned to the bullpen and Garrett Olson, who was optioned to Bluefield, the team's rookie-level affiliate.

In 137 innings this season at Bowie, Liz has allowed struck out an Eastern League-leading 161, but has also walked 70.

The Orioles have been outscored, 51-16, during the four-game skid, including an American League-record 30-3 drubbing to Texas on Wednesday - part of a doubleheader loss to the Rangers.