Detroit Vs. Minnesota 6-1-11
Rick Porcello might be the last pitcher the Minnesota Twins want to face as they try to end their lengthy skid against the Detroit Tigers.
Porcello looks to continue his home success against the Twins and help the Tigers defeat earn their ninth consecutive victory in this AL Central rivalry Wednesday night at Comerica Park.
Detroit (28-26) moved into position for the series sweep after it overcame a three-run deficit and another deficit of one run Tuesday to beat Minnesota 8-7. Brennan Boesch broke an eighth-inning tie with a sacrifice fly to help the Tigers win their third straight overall.
The Tigers have averaged 8.6 runs during their eight-game winning streak over the Twins (17-36), who have dropped three straight and nine of 11 overall.
"Another night where we battled really hard and come up a little short," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Things likely will not get any easier for Minnesota against Porcello (4-3, 3.93 ERA), who has allowed two runs and 15 hits in 21 1-3 innings while going 2-0 in three career home starts versus the Twins.
The right-hander faced the Twins at Target Field on May 10, and gave up only a solo homer and two other hits in five innings of a 10-2 victory.
Porcello had been 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his six previous starts overall, before allowing a season-high six runs in three innings of a 6-3 loss to Boston on Friday.
"I was fighting it," he said. "I was just trying to find a rhythm and a release point."
Jason Kubel is 11 for 22 with three doubles and a home run off Porcello, but the Twins slugger could miss his second straight game with a sprained foot.
Justin Morneau hit a pair of homers Tuesday, including a two-run shot in the seventh to give Minnesota a 7-6 lead. The Twins first baseman is batting .355 with seven RBIs in his last seven games. He is 2 for 8 with a double and home run versus Porcello.
Scott Baker (2-3, 3.65) seeks a second straight strong outing when he takes the mound for the Twins in this contest.
Baker is 0-1 with a 4.84 ERA in four starts since winning at Boston on May 6, but allowed six hits in seven scoreless innings Friday before Minnesota's bullpen blew a five-run lead in a 6-5 loss to the Angels.
"We say the same thing: 'You win as a team. You lose as a team,'" Baker said. "I think as an individual you go out there and do the best you can and you try to provide your team a chance to win."
The right-hander is 6-4 with a 4.84 ERA in 21 starts against the Tigers, but allowed five runs and five walks in 4 1-3 innings and did not factor in the decision of a 9-7 loss to Detroit on May 11.
Boesch, who has five RBIs in his last four games, is 3 for 9 with two doubles against Baker.
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