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Twins Vs. Athletics: Minnesota Falls To Oakland In Series Finale, 5-1

The Twins couldn't find their groove from the plate on Wednesday afternoon in Oakland, as the team could only muster three total hits in a 5-1 loss.

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12 Total Updates since August 20, 2012
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Twins Vs. Athletics Final Score: Minnesota Batters Held To Just 3 Hits In 5-1 Loss

Ron Gardenhire's Twins were defeated for the seventh time in their last eight games on Wednesday afternoon in Oakland. Starter Tommy Milone carved up Minnesota hitters in what can only be described as a "thorough" 5-1 Athletics victory.

The 25-year-old Milone entered the day with a 9-9 record and a number of problematic starts in his rear view mirror, but yielded just two hits over eight innings of one-run ball to pick up a well-earned victory. Milone also chipped in five strikeouts compared to just one walk, and was beaten solely on a fielder's choice RBI groundout by Twins catcher Drew Butera that scored designated hitter Ryan Doumit.

Minnesota hurler Liam Hendriks once again fell short in his bid to pick up a victory in 2012, as the struggling right-hander was never able recover from allowing a two-run single to Yoenis Cespedes in the third inning.

Next up for the Twins on their brutal AL West road trip is a Thursday meeting with the Texas Rangers to kick off a four-game set. Scott Diamond, who is unquestionably Gardenhire's most consistent pitcher at the moment, will take the ball in game one.

Head over to Twinkie Town for more Twins coverage, and be sure to visit Athletics Nation for more on the A's. Also check out Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

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Twins Vs Athletics: Minnesota Bats Struggle As Cole De Vries Loses Again

The Minnesota Twins were hoping to get back on the right foot after winning the opening game in their series against the Oakland Athletics on Monday night. Tuesday night wasn't quite as good, however, as the Twins' bats were able to drive across just one run for Cole De Vries on the way to a 4-1 loss in California.

De Vries, a Minnesota native and former pitcher for the Golden Gophers, put together a decent game in striking out three and giving up just two runs in 5.2 innings. The Twins were able to score after Ben Revere reached home plate on a wild pitch in the first inning, however, leaving De Vries very little run support to work with in the meeting.

Oakland's Brett Anderson was great in his first major league game back from Tommy John surgery. He gave up just one run and struck out six Twins in seven innings of work pick up the victory.

Game three, and therefore the series, will be decided Wednesday night.

Check out Twinkie Town for more Minnesota baseball coverage, and be sure to visit Athletics Nation for more A's coverage. Also head over to Baseball Nation for even more analysis from around the league.

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Twins Vs. Athletics: Minnesota Looking To Start A Winning Streak

The Minnesota Twins were able to snap a horrific five-game losing skid on Monday night, but they'll need two wins in a row to start an actual winning streak. They'll get to try that Tuesday night as Minnesota native Cole De Vries takes the mound against the Oakland Athletics.

De Vries is 2-4 with a 5.04 ERA since being called up to the Twins this season, having recorded a disappointing 0-3 record in his nine appearances since July. The former Golden Gophers standout has given up a total of 15 hits and 11 runs in his last two starts - with the Twins' patience likely wearing thin, De Vries could use a good outing on the hill.

The Twins will get a fresh face to look at when they're up to bat, as Brett Anderson is making his season debut for Oakland, 13 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The lefty will be held to 100 pitches on Tuesday.

For more Twins coverage, head over to Twinkie Town. And for the best MLB analysis on the web, visit Baseball Nation.

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Carl Pavano Injury: Rehab Start Pushed Back For Twins Starter

Carl Pavano has missed a decent portion of the Minnesota Twins' season due to injury and, unfortunately, it seems there's no end in sight. The starting pitcher's most recent setback came over the weekend, derailing plans for him to start Tuesday night's game for Class-A Fort Myers.

Pavano was scheduled to throw about 60 pitches in four innings for the Twins' minor league affiliate, but the Pioneer Press reports that he has instead decided to head to New York to visit his doctor due to recent complications with his velocity.

Carl Pavano had his latest rehab start pushed back so he can visit orthopedic specialist Dr. David Altchek in New York. He was scheduled to throw four innings and about 60 pitches for Class A Fort Myers on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

"He just wants to make sure there's nothing in there that's inhibiting him," Antony said.

Pavano was originally placed on the injured list June 4 due to an anterior capsular strain in his shoulder.

For more on Pavano's nagging injury, stay with SB Nation Minnesota's StoryStream. For more Twins coverage, head over to Twinkie Town. And for the best MLB analysis on the web, visit Baseball Nation.

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Denard Span Injury: Twins Outfielder Still Needs One More MRI For Clearance

Denard Span had hope to return to the Minnesota Twins' lineup last week, but his injured shoulder apparently had another idea. Span was held out of Monday night's series-opener against the Oakland Athletics and will likely miss Tuesday's game as well.

Span underwent an MRI on his neck Monday that showed no problems, but a second MRI is scheduled to be done Tuesday in Oakland. It's apparently only precautionary, but problems continue to persist as he's unable to swing the bat normally since failing to make a diving catch last weekend.

"Basically we're doing (the MRIs) just to make sure we're not missing anything," assistant GM Rob Antony said.

Ben Revere has taken Span's place in center field as of late while call-up Darin Mastroianni has taken his place in the batting order, coming up with a few big hits in Monday night's win.

For more coverage of the Twins, head over to Twinkie Town and SB Nation Minnesota.Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

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Twins Vs. As: Minnesota Opens Series On A Winning Note

Brian Duensing has struggled in his trips to the mound as of late -- much like the rest of his Minnesota Twins teammates -- but he was able to turn in another quality start on Monday night. The Twins' bats did their part, too, as Minnesota ended up with a 7-2 victory to start its series against the Oakland Athletics.

Duensing, just 3-8 on the season, struck out seven batters in six innings while giving up just one earned run before letting the bullpen do the rest of the work.

The heart of the Twins' lineup did the rest of the work, as Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham each went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs while two-hitter Darin Matroianni -- called-up to be inserted into the lineup for Denard Span -- went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and runs apiece.

The A's started Brandon McCarthy, but he was pulled just 3.1 innings into his appearance after giving up six runs and 10 hits en route to the loss and a 6-5 record.

For more coverage of the Twins, head over to Twinkie Town and SB Nation Minnesota. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.

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Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.