Houston Astros (31-35) at Minnesota Twins (35-35), 2:10 p.m.
Sports Network | June 21, 2009
(Sports Network) - Inching their way towards an even record on the season, the Houston Astros try to close out a three-game interleague set with the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome on a positive note this afternoon.
Despite standing in fifth place in the National League Central entering play today, the Astros are just four games under .500 at 31-35 and 5 1/2 games off the pace set by the St. Louis Cardinals.
On Saturday Houston won for the second time in the last three outings with a narrow 6-5 triumph over the Twins in the middle game of the set. Michael Bourn tagged the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning as Houston slipped by for the win.
Ivan Rodriguez knocked in a pair of runs for the Astros, who are now an even 4-4 on a nine-game road trip. Lance Berkman also homered to account for the 999th RBI of his career.
Brian Moehler allowed four hits and three runs over six innings to get the victory, even as he surrendered three home runs to the host club. Jose Valverde worked around a two-out double in the ninth to post his fourth save of the campaign.
"I don't have any problems giving up home runs, unless they're walk-offs," said Moehler.
Jason Kubel belted a two-run homer, while Joe Mauer, Brendan Harris and Delmon Young added solo shots for the Twins, who entered the game with wins in five of their last seven tries but are now three games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central.
Mauer's 14th home run set a career-high, topping the 13 he produced in 2006. It also extended his hitting streak to 12 games and boosted his overall batting average to a league-leading .417 this season. His average has been at or above .400 at the end of every game this year except one.
Scott Baker allowed six hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings, also striking out six batters in the start for the Twins. Sean Henn retired one batter and was charged with the loss.
"I felt pretty good tonight, made some pitches when I needed to, but I would have liked to be a little more efficient," said Baker. "They fouled off a lot of pitches. Sometimes that happens. I kept making pitches and gave our team a chance to win."
Scheduled to make the start for the Astros this afternoon is Wandy Rodriguez as he tries to work his way to .500 on the season. The lefty had opened the campaign 5-2, but he has been charged with four setbacks in as many decisions since then.
Tuesday saw Rodriguez charged with six runs on six hits in just four innings in a 6-1 loss to Texas on the road. What's more, Rodriguez also issued a season-high five walks as he watched his ERA jump to 3.33.
Already halfway to his career-best of 10 victories set in his rookie season with Houston in 2005, Rodriguez was tagged for three of his nine home runs this season in the loss to the Rangers.
As for the Twins, they have lefty Glen Perkins penciled in as their starter for the day. Making his first-ever appearance versus the Astros, Perkins is coming off a 2008 campaign in which he was a stellar 12-4 for the club. Back in action for the first time in nearly a month after making a trip to the disabled list, Perkins came out on the right side of an 8-2 win versus Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Minnesota native allowed just two runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out four in six innings of action.
Minnesota took two of three games when these clubs clashed three seasons ago in Houston. Despite the setback yesterday, the Twins have still won eight of their last 12 meetings versus the Astros.
