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Morneau, Twins aim to even series vs. Yankees

Jun 2, 2008 - 1:34 PM New York Yankees (28-28) at Minnesota (29-27) 7:10 p.m. EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Justin Morneau will attempt to lead the Minnesota Twins to a split of a four-game series with the visiting New York Yankees on Monday.

The Twins dropped the first two games of the series, but Morneau scored two runs and Michael Cuddyer drove in three to pace them to a 5-1 victory on Sunday.

Morneau turned in the play of the game when he lined a shot into the right-center field gap that Yankees' center fielder Melky Cabrera slipped while trying to field. Cabrera then tried to flip the ball from the seat of his pants but sailed it over right fielder Bobby Abreu's head, allowing Morneau to scamper all the way around to score.

The 2006 American League MVP was credited with a triple and scored on Cabrera's error.

Minnesota will send Opening Day starter Livan Hernandez (6-2, 4.60 ERA) to the mound Monday in search of the split. The veteran righthander has struggled of late, allowing 14 runs - 11 earned - in 11 1/3 innings over his past two starts.

Hernandez, who is in his first season in the AL, has made just four starts in his career against the Yankees, going 0-3 with a 6.08 ERA.

New York will counter with lefthander Andy Pettitte (5-5, 4.11). The veteran hurler has earned the win in each of his last two starts, allowing a pair of runs in each while combining for 12 strikeouts and one walk in 12 2/3 total innings.