Twins at Athletics
The Minnesota Twins avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season and now look to break even on their six-game road trip when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game series. Mitch Garver delivered his second RBI single of the contest in the 12th inning as Minnesota rallied from a three-run deficit to post a 4-3 victory on Wednesday.
The Twins fell into an early 3-0 hole but climbed out of it by scoring in three straight innings, with Jorge Polanco belting a solo homer in the eighth to forge a tie. The 25-year-old Dominican, who pulled within one blast of matching the career high of 13 he set in 2017, is riding a six-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 29 of his last 31 contests. Ramon Laureano launched a three-run blast in a 2-for-4 effort for Oakland, which had its four-game winning streak halted. The 24-year-old Dominican has gone 5-for-11 with five RBIs over his last three contests.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (8-4, 2.89 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Tanner Anderson (0-3, 7.13)
Berrios' winless streak reached four starts on Friday, when he fell to 0-2 during the drought after yielding six runs - three earned - and nine hits in 7 1/3 innings against the White Sox in Chicago. It was the seventh consecutive quality start by the 25-year-old Puerto Rican, however, and marked the seventh time this season he worked at least seven frames. Berrios has made two career starts versus Oakland, going 0-1 while surrendering eight runs and 12 hits over 10 2/3 innings.
Anderson remains in search of his first win of 2019 as he makes his fifth start of the season. The 26-year-old Floridian is coming off his shortest turn, a 2 2/3-inning road outing against the Los Angeles Angels in which he surrendered seven runs and eight hits. Anderson, who never has faced Minnesota, has worked a total of 6 2/3 frames over his last two starts and has yet to last six this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics 1B Matt Olson has hit safely in seven of his last eight games.
2. Minnesota placed Jake Odorizzi (finger) on the 10-day injured list - he was replaced on the American League All-Star team by Berrios - and recalled fellow RHP Zack Littell from Triple-A Rochester.
3. Oakland activated Blake Treinen (shoulder) from the 10-day IL and designated fellow RHP Aaron Brooks for assignment.