Twins at Blue Jays
The Minnesota Twins' pitching staff has put Toronto's bats to sleep and will try to lead the American League Central division leaders to a series sweep when they take on the host Blue Jays on Wednesday. The Twins have posted back-to-back shutouts to begin the three-game set, including a 3-0 triumph on Tuesday behind seven scoreless innings from Jose Berrios.
Minnesota's staff has thrown 22 consecutive scoreless frames overall and the team has won nine of its last 12. Mitch Garver caught the combined four-hitter Tuesday while going 3-for-3 with a two-run homer to pace the Twins' offense. Toronto owns nine hits in 62 at-bats in the series and has lost a season high-tying four straight. It will try to get back into the win column behind rookie right-hander Trent Thornton on Wednesday, while Kyle Gibson attempts to extend Minnesota's scoreless streak when he starts the finale for the visitors.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), Sportsnet One, Sportsnet360 (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-1, 4.68 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Trent Thornton (0-3, 4.08)
Gibson had a 7.36 ERA after giving up four runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on April 16, but he is 2-1 with a 2.50 mark in three starts since. He allowed two earned runs in five frames in a loss at Yankee Stadium his last time out. The University of Missouri product has been pounded for 14 runs on 24 hits - four home runs - in 16 2/3 career innings at Rogers Centre.
Thornton remains in search of his first career win despite posting back-to-back strong starts. He first held Oakland to a run in five innings April 28 before spinning seven scoreless while allowing one hit in a no-decision at Texas on Friday. The 25-year-old was knocked around for four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Minnesota on April 17.
WALK-OFFS
1. Garver's home run was his seventh, tying a career high he set in 102 games last year, and he is batting .367.
2. Blue Jays SS Freddy Galvis is 4-for-30 with eight strikeouts over his last seven games.
3. Minnesota is 10-5 against the AL East.