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Twins look to stay in playoff hunt as they go for three-game sweep

Aug 17, 2008 - 6:35 AM Seattle (46-76) at Minnesota (69-53), 2:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins' knack for coming up big in clutch situations is keeping them afloat in the rough waters of the American League.

Led by an efficient offense and timely pitching, the Twins hope to continue keeping pace in the playoff hunt as they go for a three-game sweep against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Tied with the Chicago White Sox (69-53) for the lead in the AL Central, Minnesota has taken advantage of a lowly Mariners team, which has dropped seven of nine.

On Saturday, Brian Buscher lifted the game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to give the Twins a 7-6 victory.

The series opener was no different, as Francisco Liriano tossed seven scoreless innings and Jason Kubel knocked in three runs en route to a 9-3 triumph.

Glen Perkins (9-3, 4.07 ERA) takes the mound for the Twins with hopes of winning his eighth decision in the past nine.

Perkins has held opponents to three runs or less in seven of his last 10 starts. However, he was rocked for five runs and 12 hits in 5 2/3 frames against the Mariners for a no-decision on August 4, which translated into an 11-6 Twins loss.

The 25-year-old lefthander is one of the five Twins starters under the age of 27 that have surprisingly kept them in the playoff race.

The Mariners will counter with Ryan Feierabend, who was recalled from Class AAA Tacoma upon righthander Carlos Silva being placed on the disabled list and will be making his first outing this season.

The 22-year-old righthander made his major league debut in 2006 and struggled with the Mariners (46-76) last year, going 1-6 with an 8.03 ERA in 13 appearances - nine starts - but was 7-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 13 starts with Tacoma this season.