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Twins attempt to keep rolling vs. Indians

Jul 5, 2008 - 1:02 PM Cleveland (37-49) at Minnesota (48-38) 7:10 pm ET

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- It wasn't long ago the Minnesota Twins appeared to be an also-ran in the American League. Now, they are one of the hottest teams in baseball.

The Twins go for their 15th win in 17 games on Saturday when they continue their three-game set against the Cleveland Indians.

On June 15, Minnesota found itself two games under at 33-35 following a 3-7 road trip, which left the team 4 1/2 games out of first place in the division.

Since that day, however, the Twins have rolled to a 13-3 record, including one winning streak of 10 games. Much of that run has come at the Metrodome, where they have won 11 of 13. During their 16-run rampage, the Twins have received solid production from their pitching staff, which has posted a 2.31 ERA in that time.

Perhaps no pitcher has been more indicative of that success than Kevin Slowey (5-6, 3.47 ERA), who is 3-0 over his last four starts and riding a scoreless streak of 17 innings. Since starting the season 0-4 with a 5.49 ERA, Slowey has rebounded nicely over his last eight starts, going 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA.

The righthander turned in perhaps the finest start of his career in his last outing, allowing just three hits and striking out eight to post his first career shutout in Sunday's 5-0 triumph over Milwaukee.

He will be opposed by Aaron Laffey (4-5, 3.24), who will try to end his road woes, where he is 0-2 with a 5.47 ERA. In Sunday's 9-5 interleague home setback to Cincinnati, the lefthander surrendered five runs and eight hits over five frames to drop his second straight decision.