It took 16 games, but the Minnesota Twins have their first winning streak of the year, and they will look to extend it to three in a row this evening as they take on the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
The Orioles are struggling in their own right, with Monday's 5-3 loss to the Twins marking their eighth consecutive defeat after winning six of their first seven to start the season.
Tonight, the Twins will send right-hander Carl Pavano to the mound. Pavano is currently 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA, and after getting roughed up on Opening Day in Toronto, has actually pitched very well. In his last two appearances, he's thrown 16 innings, and has only allowed eight hits and one run over that time. He was in line for the victory in Tampa Bay on Thursday, but Joe Nathan's blown save gave him a no-decision instead.
The Orioles will counter with right-hander Jake Arrieta (1-1, 7.04 ERA). The last time the Twins saw Arrieta, they fared quite well against him, touching him up for five runs and seven hits over four innings as the Twins defeated the Orioles 10-4 last July 25.
Justin Morneau will be out of the lineup today again for the Twins with flu-like symptoms. This will be the third consecutive game that Morneau has had to sit out.