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Hernandez, Contreras meet for first time as Twins face White Sox

Apr 10, 2008 - 12:53 PM Minnesota (5-3) at Chi White Sox (4-5) 8:11 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Two pitchers with similar backgrounds faceoff on Thursday when the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox wrap up a three-game series.

Minnesota will send Livan Hernandez to the hill, while Chicago counters with Jose Contreras.

Hernandez (2-0, 3.86 ERA) made his debut in 1996 - seven years before Contreras made his first appearance with the New York Yankees.

However, the two righthanders have never faced each other, since Hernandez spent his entire career in the National League before signing with Minnesota this offseason.

Both pitchers defected from Cuba to pursue their dreams of playing in the major leagues.

Hernandez has had a much better start to the season than Contreras as he allowed four runs and seven hits in seven innings of a 7-4 victory over Kansas City on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Contreras (0-0, 7.20) was touched for four runs - five earned - and 10 hits but did not factor into the decision in a 8-5 victory over Detroit on Friday.

Minnesota put an abrupt end to Chicago's five-game winning streak with a 12-5 victory on Wednesday. Jason Kubel broke open the game with a two-out, grand slam in the sixth inning.

That came on the heels of Joe Crede's grand slam that led the White Sox to a 7-4 win on Monday. The Chicago third baseman is on a tear to start the season, batting .406 (13-for-32) with three home runs and 11 RBI.