Mariners at Twins
The streaking Minnesota Twins look to notch their 20th victory in 26 games when they host the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Twins opened a nine-game homestand by pushing across three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat the Mariners 6-5 on Tuesday.
Marwin Gonzalez delivered the tiebreaking single while Jason Castro and Jonathan Schoop homered earlier in the contest as Minnesota improved to 20-9 at home. Jorge Polanco went 3-for-3 and was hit by a pitch to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Seattle's Edwin Encarnacion increased his American League-leading homer total to 21 as the blast was his 16th at Target Field - second-most among visiting players behind Kansas City's Salvador Perez. Mallex Smith went 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Mariners, extending his hitting streak to 10 games in the process.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Tommy Milone (1-1, 3.10 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (8-2, 3.14)
Milone will serve as Seattle's primary pitcher after an unspecified "opener" begins the game on the mound. The 32-year-old also followed an opener in his last outing, when he gave up one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Houston. Milone is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Twins and has allowed two homers by Nelson Cruz (6-for-20).
Berrios defeated Cleveland in his last turn as he gave up two runs - one earned - and two hits in six innings. The 25-year-old has fared well at home this season, posting a 5-1 record and 2.72 ERA in six outings. Berrios is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA n four career turns against the Mariners, including a no-decision on May 18 in which he allowed four runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Dee Gordon (wrist) was activated from the 10-day injured list and went 1-for-4 on Tuesday while RHP Matt Festa was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
2. Cruz was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance against his former team as he missed last month's four-game series in Seattle due to a left wrist injury.
3. Seattle OF Domingo Santana went 3-for-5 on Tuesday and is 13-for-32 during his seven-game hitting streak.