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(Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins have not lost a series at home in nearly a month. The American League Central contenders hope to keep that streak intact in this afternoon's rubber match of a three-game set with the division-rival Detroit Tigers from the Metrodome.

Since dropping two of three games at home to the Baltimore Orioles from June 3-5, the Twins have won nine times in 11 tries at the Metrodome and posted series victories over Washington, Arizona and Milwaukee.

Minnesota is also 14-3 over its last 17 overall contests, a surge that has propelled the Twins within 2 1/2 games of first-place Chicago in the AL Central standings.

After being edged by the Tigers in Monday's series opener, Minnesota evened this key series with last night's 6-4 decision. Craig Monroe belted a three- run homer and Mike Redmond finished with two RBI as the Twins halted Detroit's six-game win streak.

Scott Baker (5-2) earned the win after allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out five over the first six innings. Alexi Casilla chipped in for Minnesota with three hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Marcus Thames homered for the Tigers, who lost for only the second time in their last 10 games. Carlos Guillen posted three hits and three runs scored in the losing effort.

Nate Robertson (6-7) suffered the loss after a poor outing in which he allowed six runs and 11 hits over four-plus innings of work.

Eddie Bonine gets his first taste of American League play when the Tigers rookie takes the mound for today's finale. The young right-hander's first three major league starts all came during the interleague phase of Detroit's schedule, and each outing was progressively better than the previous one.

After struggling but still obtaining the win in his big-league debut, a 12-7 triumph over the Dodgers on June 14, Bonine held San Diego to two runs in a seven-inning no-decision six days later. The 27-year-old was most impressive in Friday's encounter with Colorado at Comerica Park, where Bonine yielded just one run and five hits over eight frames to lead the Tigers to victory.

Minnesota will send out a rookie righty of its own today in Nick Blackburn. The 26-year-old will be attempting to rebound from a subpar showing in his most recent start, which came on the heels of two straight very good performances.

Against Milwaukee at the Metrodome this past Friday, Blackburn served up four homers which accounted for six Brewers runs before exiting after 4 2/3 innings. He did not receive a decision in the Twins' 7-6 win.

Prior to that shaky start, Blackburn allowed just one run and three hits over seven innings in a June 21 victory over Arizona and defeated Cleveland with six innings of two-run ball on June 11.

Blackburn went up against the Tigers in Detroit on April 14 and got a no- decision in an 11-9 Minnesota loss. He was touched for four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings in that game.

In team injury news, Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera did not start Tuesday's game due to a left hip flexor strain but was used as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. Cabrera left Monday's opener in the third inning and is considered day-to-day.

Minnesota is 6-4 against Detroit so far this season and swept the Tigers at home in early May. However, the Tigers went 8-1 in their nine games at the Metrodome a year ago.