Twins 2 - 6 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Twins visit Rangers hoping to get on track

Jun 12, 2015 - 2:43 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Twins have hit a rough patch of late, and they'll look to get back on track Friday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington when they begin a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Minnesota just wrapped up a 1-5 homestand to fall out of the top spot in the American League Central Division.

The Twins got a much needed day off Thursday after suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, whom they now trail by two games.

Minnesota committed three errors and managed just seven hits in Wednesday's 7-2 setback to Kansas City. Kyle Gibson dug himself a four-run hole in the first inning, and the Twins were never able to climb their way out.

"I don't have any particular issue when you go through periods like this," manager Paul Molitor said. "It's unfortunate it came at a time when the games seemed to be, at least externally, a lot bigger. It's just kind of the nature of how your season's going, to have ebbs and flows."

Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers dropped two of three in Oakland this week, their first series loss after winning the previous six. The offense managed just one hit -- an Elvis Andrus single in the fifth inning -- in Thursday's 7-0 loss against Scott Kazmir and the A's.

Chi Chi Gonzalez took the tough-luck loss in that one to end a streak of 15 scoreless innings to begin his career. He allowed just one run over seven innings.

Wandy Rodriguez gets the start for Texas in Friday's opener after twirling seven innings of one-run ball in his last outing. The left-hander is unbeaten across his last four starts to go with a 2.55 ERA. He also owns a 1.98 ERA in two career starts against the Twins.

However, Rodriguez has yet to win at home this season, as he is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts in Arlington.

Minnesota will also go with a southpaw in Tommy Milone, who finds himself back in the team's starting rotation with Ricky Nolasco recently landing on the disabled list. Milone made his first start since April at Boston last Thursday and took the no-decision after allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits over five innings. He was previously in Triple-A Rochester.

This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season. Texas won five of seven meetings in 2014. However, the Rangers are just 11-15 at home this season.






Related News