Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Live Major League Baseball Streaming Online Radio Commentary Video Feed Yahoo Espn 360 Gamecast Experts Review Power Ranking June 5, 2011. Heading to Kansas City has helped the Minnesota Twins end their woes. The struggling Brian Duensing is hoping a matchup with the Royals will have the same effect.
The left-hander will try to snap his five-game skid by leading the Twins to their first four-game sweep of the Royals in nearly five years Sunday.
They produced 13 hits without Justin Morneau and Denard Span in the lineup. Alexi Casilla matched a career high with four hits and drove in two runs.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he'll see how Morneau's sore left wrist is feeling Sunday before deciding whether to play the former MVP. Span's status is uncertain after the center fielder hurt his neck while attempting to complete an inside-the-park home run Friday, colliding with Royals catcher Brayan Pena at the plate.
As Minnesota seeks its first four-game sweep of Kansas City (25-33) since Aug. 3-6, 2006, Duensing (2-5, 5.37 ERA) tries to earn his first win since April 23.
Since then, the Twins have lost all seven of his starts as the left-hander has gone 0-5 with a 7.39 ERA. He didn't make it out of a six-run fifth inning in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to Detroit.
"It's getting to the point where it's not very fun, I'll tell you that much," Duensing told the team's website. "It feels like every time you come to the ballpark, it's a new day, but with the way things are going, for me personally, it's tough. You used to come to the ballpark and be excited to be here, but now it's really hard."
Duensing might have a little more fun Sunday as he's 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts against the Royals. However, his current losing streak began in Kansas City on April 30 despite giving up three runs -- two earned -- over seven innings.
The Royals tacked on eight more runs after Duensing left, and the 11-2 win was part of a three-game sweep. Kansas City, though, has dropped 25 of 35 meetings with its AL Central rival and 25 of 36 at home.
Duensing will be opposed by Jeff Francis (2-5, 4.46).
The left-hander is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in his last three starts, including a victory Tuesday as Kansas City beat Los Angeles 7-3.
After giving up two runs and four hits in the first inning, he yielded one run and four hits over his final six.
"He's been through it," manager Ned Yost said. "He knows it's not the end of the world. Especially early in the game when you give up two runs and we haven't even hit yet. ... It's just experience and confidence, knowing if he makes his pitches he's going to get through it."
The left-hander will try to snap his five-game skid by leading the Twins to their first four-game sweep of the Royals in nearly five years Sunday.
2:10 PM ET, June 5, 2011
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Before traveling to Kauffman Stadium, Minnesota had dropped 10 of 12 and started 0-3 on its 10-game road trip. The Twins (20-37) have turned things around by outscoring the Royals 20-6 over the last three games, and Saturday's 7-2 win might have been one of their more impressive performances.Lineups
NO. Minnesota Kansas City
1. B. Revere, CF A. Gordon, LF
2. A. Casilla, SS M. Cabrera, CF
3. M. Cuddyer, DH E. Hosmer, 1B
4. D. Valencia, 3B J. Francoeur, RF
5. D. Young, LF B. Butler, DH
6. L. Hughes, 1B W. Betemit, 3B
7. J. Repko, RF M. Aviles, 2B
8. D. Butera, C B. Pena, C
9. M. Tolbert, 2B A. Escobar, SS
They produced 13 hits without Justin Morneau and Denard Span in the lineup. Alexi Casilla matched a career high with four hits and drove in two runs.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he'll see how Morneau's sore left wrist is feeling Sunday before deciding whether to play the former MVP. Span's status is uncertain after the center fielder hurt his neck while attempting to complete an inside-the-park home run Friday, colliding with Royals catcher Brayan Pena at the plate.
As Minnesota seeks its first four-game sweep of Kansas City (25-33) since Aug. 3-6, 2006, Duensing (2-5, 5.37 ERA) tries to earn his first win since April 23.
Since then, the Twins have lost all seven of his starts as the left-hander has gone 0-5 with a 7.39 ERA. He didn't make it out of a six-run fifth inning in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to Detroit.
"It's getting to the point where it's not very fun, I'll tell you that much," Duensing told the team's website. "It feels like every time you come to the ballpark, it's a new day, but with the way things are going, for me personally, it's tough. You used to come to the ballpark and be excited to be here, but now it's really hard."
Duensing might have a little more fun Sunday as he's 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts against the Royals. However, his current losing streak began in Kansas City on April 30 despite giving up three runs -- two earned -- over seven innings.
The Royals tacked on eight more runs after Duensing left, and the 11-2 win was part of a three-game sweep. Kansas City, though, has dropped 25 of 35 meetings with its AL Central rival and 25 of 36 at home.
Duensing will be opposed by Jeff Francis (2-5, 4.46).
The left-hander is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in his last three starts, including a victory Tuesday as Kansas City beat Los Angeles 7-3.
After giving up two runs and four hits in the first inning, he yielded one run and four hits over his final six.
"He's been through it," manager Ned Yost said. "He knows it's not the end of the world. Especially early in the game when you give up two runs and we haven't even hit yet. ... It's just experience and confidence, knowing if he makes his pitches he's going to get through it."