The Minnesota Twins currently possess the American League's longest winning streak, and they hope to extend that streak in the second game of a three-game set against the San Diego Padres on Saturday night at Target Field.
Minnesota has won five consecutive games to give them the American League's longest streak, and have won twelve out of the last fourteen games, cutting their deficit in the American League Central to eight games. The Twins held off the Padres on Friday night by a score of 6-5 in the return of Joe Mauer to the Minnesota lineup.
Tonight, the Twins will give the baseball to right-hander Scott Baker (4-4, 3.55 ERA) in the hopes that he can continue the momentum from his last start. Last Saturday against the Texas Rangers, Baker threw a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits in an 8-1 Minnesota victory.
The Padres will counter with right-hander Tim Stauffer (2-4, 3.28 ERA). Stauffer, like most Padres pitchers, has done a decent job, but has gotten very little run support. In his last start, he shut out the Washington Nationals for seven innings, allowing just five hits, but winding up with a no-decision as the Padres ultimately lost 2-0.
First pitch for tonight's game is at 6:10 PM Central time from Target Field. You can follow all of the in-game action in the Game Thread over at Twinkie Town, and we'll have your recap back here when everything has finished up.