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The Minnesota Twins produced some good offense after the Milwaukee Brewers contributed with some bad defense. The Twins try to sustain their momentum Saturday when the teams continue their three-game series at Miller Park.
The Twins (33-35) began the final leg of their 10-game road trip with a 10-2 rout Friday. Winning pitcher Kevin Slowey contributed his first two major league hits and two RBIs as Minnesota scored six unearned runs and pounded out 15 hits.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Milwaukee -156 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 9 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 93% of bets for this game have been placed on Milwaukee –156 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
"It’s something to build on, but at the same time, we don’t want to waste it as one good game. You want to go out and try to win the series," said Justin Morneau, who had a triple and three RBIs.
Slowey pitched eight innings and gave a needed boost to a beleaguered Twins staff that had allowed 10 or more runs four times in the first seven games of this trip. Minnesota now has a chance to win consecutive games for the first time since June 1-2 over the New York Yankees.
Glen Perkins (2-2, 4.58 ERA) will try to follow Slowey’s lead and end his recent struggles. After quality outings his first four starts, the left-hander has struggled in his last three – getting tagged for 13 runs and 24 hits in 13 1-3 innings.
Perkins, who is making his first appearance against the Brewers, was reached for three runs in 5 1-3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on Monday and did not receive a decision in Minnesota’s 7-5 loss.
Bill Hall – playing second base in place of the injured Rickie Weeks – committed two errors Friday. He also failed to make a rotation on a bunt single that triggered another rally by the Twins, but manager Ned Yost defended his player, who has been the subject of attention in Milwaukee after requesting a trade last month following Yost’s decision to platoon Hall at third base with Russell Branyan.
"Those are plays that, should they be made? Yes, absolutely," Yost said. "But, when you move around like that and get thrown into a position when you really don’t have a chance to get comfortable at all … it’s difficult, difficult to jump in."
The Brewers will continue to shuffle their infield this weekend with injuries to Weeks and starting shortstop J.J. Hardy, who will miss the series with a shoulder injury before being re-evaluated to see if he should be placed on the disabled list.
Milwaukee (35-32) will try to regroup behind Jeff Suppan (4-4, 3.78), who has pitched well at Miller Park this year, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts. The right-hander won despite walking five at Colorado on Sunday, allowing two runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-2 victory.
Suppan was roughed up for nine runs and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings at the Metrodome last year, but the Brewers bailed him out of a loss by rallying to tie the game before losing 10-9 to the Twins on June 17. He is 5-8 with a 5.12 ERA in 18 lifetime starts against Minnesota.
Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has driven in at least one run in five consecutive games.
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