The Texas Rangers handed the Minnesota Twins a pretty good beatdown at Target Field on Friday night, scoring seven runs in the second inning off of Twins' starter Brian Duensing and winning by a final score of 9-3. Today, the Twins will try to bounce back in the third of this four-game weekend set.
The Twins will once again be without first baseman Justin Morneau, who will see a hand specialist on Monday's off day for trouble with his wrist. Manager Ron Gardenhire has already declared Morneau out for Sunday's series finale as well. So, the Twins will go with a makeshift lineup that will see Rene Tosoni at the DH spot and Brian Dinkelman in right field.
Scott Baker (3-4, 3.86 ERA) will head to the mound for Minnesota this afternoon. Baker got a victory in his last start, allowing four runs on nine hits in seven innings of work in a 6-4 Minnesota victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday. Today, he will attempt to get consecutive victories for the first time since last August.
The Rangers will go with right-hander Colby Lewis (5-6, 4.37 ERA). Lewis got blasted in his last start, giving up nine earned runs and ten hits in just 3.1 innings in a 13-7 Rangers loss to the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
First pitch for this one is scheduled for 3:10 PM Central time. Be sure to visit our friends at Twinkie Town so that you can join in the Game Thread, and we will have the recap for you when the game is finished.