• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Gomez looks to build off impressive performance vs. White Sox

May 8, 2008 - 2:17 PM Minnesota (17-15) at Chi White Sox (15-17) 2:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Carlos Gomez looks to build off the best game of his young career Thursday when the Minnesota Twins conclude a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox.

The 22-year-old Gomez flashed his unlimited potential Wednesday, as he hit for the cycle in a 13-1 victory. The speedster became the first Twins player to accomplish the feat since the late Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett did so 22 years ago.

Gomez was acquired in the deal that sent two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to the New York Mets in order to make up for the loss of center fielder Torii Hunter.

Gomez raised his average from .261 to .290 (34-for-117) and will look for more success against Chicago lefthander John Danks (2-3, 3.12 ERA), who hopes to avoid a third straight loss.

Minnesota, which has won five of its last seven contests, will counter with Kevin Slowey (0-1, 8.10). Slowey will start in place of Scott Baker, who was placed on the disabled list Wednesday.

Slowey, who came off the DL on Wednesday, left his first start of the season against Anaheim on April 3 after 3 1/3 innings with a strained right biceps. The righthander allowed three runs and four hits in the 5-4 setback.