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Twins go for sweep of Rangers at Metrodome

Sun 20th, July 2008

(Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins take aim at their eighth consecutive home win today, as they wrap up a three-game set with the Texas Rangers at the Metrodome.

On Saturday, Justin Morneau went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and finished with five runs driven in, as Minnesota rolled to a 14-2 win. Joe Mauer and Delmon Young each hit solo home runs for the Twins, who have won 15 of their last 17 games at home.

Brian Buscher added a two-run shot, as Minnesota won for the fifth time in six games overall to move within a half-game of the first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

Livan Hernandez (10-6) got the win as he allowed just two runs on five hits over seven frames.

Chris Davis hit a two-run homer for the Rangers, who have dropped two in a row and four of six overall. Josh Hamilton went 2-for-4 and was the only Ranger with multiple hits.

Matt Harrison (1-1) took the loss as he was touched for eight runs on nine hits over five-plus frames.

The Rangers are hoping for a better effort out of today's starter, Vicente Padilla. The veteran right-hander recently spent time on the DL with a stiff neck and is making his first start since July 4th.

Padilla had a good start to the season, but he has suffered losses in his last two outings, allowing a total of 15 earned runs over just 8 2/3 innings.

In his career against Minnesota, Padilla is an even 2-2 with a 3.23 ERA in five starts. He recently faced the Twins on May 22nd and allowed three earned runs over five innings. He did not factor in the Rangers' eventual 8-7 win in 10 innings.

Opposing Padilla will be Scott Baker, who is 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last five starts. In his most recent appearance on July 12th, the right-hander yielded four earned runs and six hits over seven innings of a 6-5 triumph over Detroit.

At home this year, Baker is a perfect 3-0 with a sparkling 2.67 ERA in six starts.

Baker, though, has struggled in two career starts against Texas, going 0-1 with a whopping 14.09 ERA. He faced the Rangers on April 26 and was reached for five earned runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He did not factor in the decision, although the Twins notched a 12-6 victory.

The Twins are 5-4 against the Rangers this season, and Minnesota took seven of the last eight encounters with Texas last year.

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