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Twins hope to keep rolling at home vs. White Sox

Jul 29, 2008 - 1:11 PM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins' play at home has kept them in the American League Central Division race since the middle of June. Their continued success at the Metrodome could very well see them take over first place.

The Twins attempt to continue trimming the division lead of the Chicago White Sox when the clubs continue their four-game set on Tuesday.

Minnesota, which is 1.5 games back of the Sox, snapped a five-game losing streak to Chicago with its 7-0 victory in the series opener on Monday. But the Twins, who have trailed the White Sox by no more than 3 1/2 games since June 20, have been unable to overtake their division rival atop the standings at any point over the last month.

Minnesota is 35-19 at home this season and has won eight of nine here.

Minnesota will be sending one of its hotter pitchers to the mound when Glen Perkins (7-3, 4.08 ERA) makes his 16th start of the season. The lefthander surrendered five runs and eight hits over six frames in a 5-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday but is still 5-1 over his last 10 starts.

He'll be opposed by rookie Clayton Richard (0-0, 9.00), who will make his second major league start after recording a no-decision in his first outing The 6-5, 240-pound lefthander struck out seven in his debut on Wednesday, but also surrendered five runs and seven hits over four innings in a 10-8 win over Texas.