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Twins look to rebound against Beltre, Mariners

Aug 26, 2008 - 1:13 PM Minnesota (74-57) at Seattle (49-82) 10:10 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- In the midst of a competitive playoff battle, the Minnesota Twins need to avoid heart-breaking losses to the worst team in the American League.

The Twins will attempt to bounce back from an extra-inning setback and end a three-game losing skid when they face Adrian Beltre and the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Beltre belted a walk-off, two-run homer in the 11th inning on Monday, powering the Mariners to a 4-2 victory over the Twins.

"It was great to get a big hit in that situation," Beltre said. "I was just looking for a pitch to hit into the gap so Raul (Ibanez) could score. I knew I hit it good, but I just wasn't sure if I hit it high enough."

Seattle manager Jim Riggleman said it was about time that something good happened to Beltre, who is hitting just .248 this season.

"He's hit in bad luck all year," Riggleman said. "Even that ball had so much topspin it looked like it might not carry as far as it did. We were fortunate that it did."

With the loss, the Twins fell a game behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox in the American League Central. They also sit 1 1/2 games back of the Boston Red Sox in the wild card race.

Minnesota hopes righthander Scott Baker (7-3, 3.74 ERA) can get the club back on track. The 26-year-old Baker, who has not lost since July 20, pitched eight outstanding innings during Thursday's 2-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

He will be opposed by lefthander Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-2, 3.84), who is making his sixth start of the season and 41st appearance. Smith is 0-1 with a 4.79 ERA as a starter this season.