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Twins look to continue success at home in opener

Aug 18, 2008 - 12:57 PM Oakland (56-67) at Minnesota (70-53) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Metrodome has suddenly become the house of horrors for American League foes.

Notching a 28-8 record at home since June 1, the Minnesota Twins open up a three-game set against the Oakland Athletics on Monday.

The Twins, who are 8-2 over their last 10 contests, have taken advantage of the comforts of home and wore out the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. They scored 27 runs in the three-game sweep and are tied for first place with the Chicago White Sox (70-53) for first place in the AL Central.

Nick Blackburn (9-6, 3.73 ERA) takes the mound for the Twins. The rookies is looking to improve on his last start in which he gave up four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old - one of the five Twins starters under the age of 27 - has been very impressive of late, though. Over his last 10 outings, he has surrendered three runs or less seven times.

Oakland will counter with Justin Duchscherer (10-8, 2.59), who is 0-3 with a 5.34 ERA in five starts after the All-Star break. Prior to the Midsummer Classic, he was 10-5 with a 1.82 in 16 outings while stirring conversations in regards to competing for the Cy Young Award.

The Athletics have struggled along with Duchscherer in the second half, going 5-23 after the break.

Duchscherer has allowed 16 runs over his last four starts and hasn't pitched past the seventh inning during that span.

Oakland dropped two of three games to the White Sox over the weekend, including a 13-1 loss on Sunday

.