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Twins look to keep rolling against Athletics

Aug 20, 2008 - 10:08 AM Oakland (57-68) at Minnesota (71-54) 1:10 p.m. EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins have established themselves as a legitimate playoff contender and their latest victim - a team caught in a downward spiral - knows exactly why.

After a thrashing of the Oakland Athletics, the Twins look to take the series finale on Wednesday.

Brian Buscher laced three hits and drove in five runs to back up starter Kevin Slowey's brilliant outing as they rolled to a 13-2 decision on Tuesday - Minnesota's sixth win in the last eight.

The A's, who fell to 6-24 since the All-Star break, haven't won consecutive games since July 10-11.

However, the Twins have been one of the hottest teams in baseball and improved to 29-8 at home since June 1. Francisco Liriano (3-3, 4.97 ERA) will try to extend that hot streak as he makes his fourth start since coming off the disabled list.

The 24-year-old lefthander has been another boost for an already potent rotation anchored by four other starters under the age of 27.

Liriano is coming off his best outing, holding the Seattle Mariners to two unearned runs through 7 2/3 frames, striking out five for his third straight victory.

Since his return from the minors, he is 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in 18 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts.

Oakland will counter with Dallas Braden (3-2, 4.50), who has thrown seven innings in each of his last two outings.

The 25-year-old lefthander has been shuttled back and forth between Oakland and Class AAA Sacramento, but has shown flashes of brilliance in his last two starts during which he sported a 3.21 ERA.