Final
  for this game

Twins-Brewers Preview

Apr 19, 2016 - 10:48 PM Jimmy Nelson has done enough in his last two starts to earn victories. He just feels he should be doing more to preserve the bullpen.

Those outings have been limited to six innings each because of walks, something he'll try to get under control Wednesday night as the Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins switch venues to begin a two-game series at Miller Park.

The clubs split two in Minnesota, and Tuesday's 6-5 Milwaukee victory ended the Twins' four-game winning streak and the Brewers' three-game skid. Ryan Braun was 4 for 6 with three RBIs in the two games, while Scooter Gennett was 4 for 8 with three doubles and four runs hitting in front of him. The second baseman also drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth.

The Brewers (6-8), who have won six of the last nine meetings, took a step in the right direction with nine hits, but they're still batting .205 without a home run in the last four games. Though that looks pretty good compared to Nelson's opposition.

Nelson (2-1, 2.79 ERA) has given up two earned runs in all three of his starts and is limiting opponents to a .176 batting average. He gave up three runs and four hits in six innings of Friday's 8-4 win in Pittsburgh but issued four walks for a second straight game. Combined with the four home runs he's allowed, it seems only a matter of time before control catches up with the right-hander if it's not fixed.

"My responsibility is to provide innings and we shouldn't have had to use the bullpen tonight but I ran my pitch count up with the walks," Nelson said. "I'm not happy about it, but it's awesome that we won."

The Twins (4-10) have picked it up offensively over their 4-1 span, averaging 5.2 runs and batting .305. They rallied to tie Tuesday's game at 5-all with three runs in the eighth as Byung Ho Park homered for the third time in four games. The rookie has consecutive two-hit games after batting .167 through his first 10.

If Minnesota is to keep it up, it'll have to happen without hot-hitting third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who as expected landed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a right intercostal strain. Eduardo Nunez has played there the last two days and is 13 for 26 to start the season.

The Twins called up infielder Jorge Polanco for some options heading into five straight games in NL parks. They've even given Miguel Sano some reps in the infield.

"I don't really want to go there," manager Paul Molitor told MLB's official website. "But with Danny (Santana) going down as my utility man and Nunez in the lineup, it puts us in a bit of a precarious situation."

The Twins counter Nelson with Tommy Milone, who's been hit harder by the home run in his first two starts. Milone (0-1, 5.06) has given up four in 10 2-3 innings, including two in Friday's 5-4 home win over the Los Angeles Angels.

The left-hander gave up four runs and eight hits in six-plus innings but didn't allow a run until the sixth. After the Twins gave him the lead, he lost it in the seventh on two homers sandwiched around a walk.

Milone is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA and .152 OBA in two starts against the Brewers with both coming in Milwaukee. Jonathan Lucroy (0 for 6), Braun (0 for 4) and Chris Carter (2 for 13) haven't figured him out.








  • MINNESOTA: 5
    MILWAUKEE: 10
    Final

    Apr 20 11:33 PM


  • Joe Mauer singles to right field. Max Kepler scores.

    Twins 5, Brewers 10  Top 9, 2 OutsApr 20 11:30 PM


  • Domingo Santana homers to right field.

    Twins 4, Brewers 10  Bot 8, 0 OutsApr 20 11:12 PM


  • Ramon Flores singles to right field. Aaron Hill scores.

    Twins 4, Brewers 9  Bot 7, 2 OutsApr 20 11:00 PM


  • Chris Carter homers to center field. Jonathan Lucroy scores.

    Twins 4, Brewers 8  Bot 7, 1 OutApr 20 10:52 PM


  • Jonathan Lucroy singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Ryan Braun scores. Fielding error by Oswaldo Arcia.

    Twins 4, Brewers 6  Bot 7, 1 OutApr 20 10:51 PM
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    Twins 4, Brewers 5  End 6Apr 20 10:23 PM
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    Twins 4, Brewers 4  End 6Apr 20 10:22 PM


  • Aaron Hill homers to left field.

    Twins 4, Brewers 5  Bot 6, 0 OutsApr 20 10:22 PM
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    Twins 4, Brewers 4  Mid 6Apr 20 10:17 PM


  • Eddie Rosario homers to center field.

    Twins 4, Brewers 4  Top 6, 2 OutsApr 20 10:17 PM


  • Oswaldo Arcia homers to right field. Miguel Sano scores.

    Twins 3, Brewers 4  Top 6, 1 OutApr 20 10:14 PM


  • Jonathan Lucroy doubles to deep left field. Ryan Braun to third. Jonathan Villar scores. Domingo Santana scores.

    Twins 1, Brewers 4  Bot 5, 2 OutsApr 20 10:05 PM
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    Twins 1, Brewers 2  End 5Apr 20 10:01 PM


  • Ryan Braun walks. Jonathan Villar to second. Domingo Santana to third. Ramon Flores scores.

    Twins 1, Brewers 2  Bot 5, 2 OutsApr 20 10:01 PM
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    Twins 1, Brewers 1  End 5Apr 20 9:41 PM
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    Twins 1, Brewers 1  Mid 5Apr 20 9:34 PM
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    Twins 1, Brewers 1  End 4Apr 20 9:31 PM


  • Chris Carter doubles to deep left center field. Ryan Braun scores.

    Twins 1, Brewers 1  Bot 4, 2 OutsApr 20 9:30 PM


  • Eduardo Nunez singles to right field. Tommy Milone to second. Kurt Suzuki scores.

    Twins 1, Brewers 0  Top 2, 2 OutsApr 20 8:44 PM


  • Eduardo Nunez grounds out to first base, Chris Carter to Jimmy Nelson.

    Apr 20 8:11 PM
  • 15
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    Twins vs. BrewersApr 20 6:50 PM
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    Twins vs. BrewersDec 12 8:31 AM