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Twins shoot for 4th straight win at Detroit

Jun 14, 2014 - 1:57 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Twins will try to capture their fourth straight win and move to .500 on Saturday afternoon when their weekend set with the Detroit Tigers continues at Comerica Park.

The Twins opened the series with a 2-0 victory on Friday night with an offensive charge led by Eduardo Escobar, who belted his second home run of the season in the second inning and added a bases-loaded walk in the ninth.

That was all the offense Minnesota's pitching staff needed. Kyle Gibson (6-5) tossed seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out three.

"His ball was moving really nice," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said of his starter. "He had them in the defensive mode. You could see them fighting off pitches."

Casey Fien pitched a perfect eighth and Glen Perkins closed the door in the ninth for his 17th save in 19 opportunities.

The Tigers' stagnant offense spoiled a solid performance by Drew Smyly (3-5), who allowed just one earned run over six innings of work.

Alex Avila went 2-for-3 for Detroit and was the only player in the game to register multiple hits.

Minnesota will send Samuel Deduno to the hill on Saturday. Deduno has made 14 appearances this season, including seven starts, going 2-4 with a 4.45 ERA.

Deduno was ineffective his last time out, lasting just three innings against the Astros on June 8 while allowing four walks, three hits and five earned runs as he was saddled with the loss.

The 30-year-old right-hander had one of his better outings of the season against the Tigers back on May 11, yielding three earned runs over six innings of work in a no-decision.

Anibal Sanchez will attempt to put his bad luck behind him for the Tigers. Despite boasting an outstanding ERA (2.24) and WHIP (0.94) while striking out 53 batters in 56 1/3 innings, Sanchez is just 2-2 to show for it.

Sanchez failed to earn a decision on June 8 after allowing two earned runs over six innings. He's had three straight no-decisions despite giving up just three runs over those 21 1/3 innings.

In eight career starts versus the Twins, Sanchez is 1-2 with a 2.42 ERA.

Minnesota has bested the Detroit in four of the past five meetings. The Tigers have lost 17 of their last 24 since an outstanding 27-12 start to the season.