White Sox at Twins
The Minnesota Twins hope to have the opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games on Friday, but their contest against the visiting Chicago White Sox is in jeopardy as rain and snow are in the forecast. Minnesota recorded its third straight victory on Thursday, a 4-0 triumph in the opener of its four-game series against Chicago.
Jose Berrios and Joe Mauer were the stars for the Twins, as the former recorded 11 strikeouts and allowed only three hits over seven innings while the latter registered three RBIs on two hits - including the 2,000th of his career. Mauer became the third player in Minnesota history to reach the mark, joining Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett with a two-run single in the seventh inning. The White Sox were limited to three singles on Thursday as they suffered their sixth loss in seven games. Nicky Delmonico recorded one of those hits and is 7-for-19 over his last six contests while Tim Anderson also singled to extend his hitting streak to five games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North Plus (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (0-1, 0.69 ERA) vs. TBD
Lopez has been superb in the early going, allowing two runs - one earned - and four hits with 11 strikeouts over 13 innings in two starts, but has yet to record a victory. The only issue with the 24-year-old Dominican has been his control, as he has walked seven batters - including five over seven frames in Sunday's loss at Detroit. Lopez, who gave up only two hits and an unearned run in the setback, will be facing Minnesota for the first time in his career.
Minnesota manager Paul Molitor has yet to announced a starter, but he likely will choose between Adalberto Mejia and Phil Hughes. The 24-year-old Mejia, who went 4-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 21 starts for the Twins last season, was limited to only two innings in his start for Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday in order to be available. Hughes, who has been sidelined with a strained left oblique, could be activated from the disabled list to make his season debut after the 31-year-old posted a 4-3 record and 5.87 ERA in 14 games (nine starts) last year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins OF Byron Buxton has been successful on 28 consecutive steal attempts and has recorded 45 stolen bases in his career while being caught only five times.
2. Chicago transferred LHP Carlos Rodon (shoulder) to the 60-day disabled list and purchased the contract of RHP Chris Volstad, who tossed a scoreless inning on Thursday, from Triple-A Charlotte.
3. Mauer has begun the season with a 10-game hitting streak, going 14-for-34.