The AL West-leading Texas Rangers haven't been fazed by a grueling road heavy stretch. That hasn't been the case when visiting the Minnesota Twins, but they have a chance to begin changing that now.
The Rangers look to win consecutive games in Minnesota for the first time in over three years when they continue this four-game series Saturday.
Texas (36-29) is 8-4 during a 20-game stretch that includes 17 on the road.
While the Rangers have split 32 road games on the season, they've won eight of the last 10 behind a .307 average, a vast improvement from their .267 overall season mark.
Texas put on an efficient offensive display Friday, collecting 13 hits - 11 singles - while scoring seven runs in the second inning to beat the Twins 9-3. That came a night after the club's losing streak at Minnesota (24-39) reached eight with a 5-4 loss on a walkoff single by Alexi Casilla.
The Rangers have won five of the past 22 road meetings with the Twins, and last won consecutive meetings in Minnesota from May 21-22, 2008.
Michael Young had three hits and three RBIs Friday, and is one game shy of tying Rafael Palmeiro for the franchise record for games played, but manager Ron Washington is planning to give him the day off.
The second baseman has a .360 average his last six games at Target Field.
"I want to play every day, but at the same time Wash was great," Young said. "I told him I'm fine, I told him I'm ready to go. He just said he wants to take care of me."
Texas turns to Colby Lewis (5-6, 4.37 ERA), who has had his own difficulty with the Twins, especially on the road. He's 0-3 with a 7.03 ERA in eight games - four starts - against them, with all three decisions coming at Minnesota where he's compiled an 8.31 ERA.
The right-hander enters this meeting trying to rebound from his worst - and shortest - outing of the season. He lasted just 3 1-3 innings Monday, surrendering season highs of nine runs and 10 hits in a 13-7 loss to Detroit.
Lewis has a 0.76 ERA while winning two of his last three road games.
While Young is getting a day off for the Rangers, Justin Morneau is expected back in the Twins' lineup after asking for a day off due to pain in his left wrist and a pinched nerve in his neck that affects his shoulder.
The first baseman is hitting .225 on the season, going 2 for 27 his last seven games. He's also 3 for 30 with one RBI in the past nine meetings against Texas.
The Twins, 7-16 at home, give the ball to Scott Baker (3-4, 3.86) as he tries to win consecutive starts for the first time since August.
The right-hander got his first victory in six trips to the mound Monday, but was shaky while allowing four runs and a season-high nine hits - two homers - in seven innings of a 6-4 win at Cleveland.
Baker is 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA in three home starts, but 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in his last four overall against the Rangers.
The Rangers look to win consecutive games in Minnesota for the first time in over three years when they continue this four-game series Saturday.
Texas (36-29) is 8-4 during a 20-game stretch that includes 17 on the road.
While the Rangers have split 32 road games on the season, they've won eight of the last 10 behind a .307 average, a vast improvement from their .267 overall season mark.
Texas put on an efficient offensive display Friday, collecting 13 hits - 11 singles - while scoring seven runs in the second inning to beat the Twins 9-3. That came a night after the club's losing streak at Minnesota (24-39) reached eight with a 5-4 loss on a walkoff single by Alexi Casilla.
The Rangers have won five of the past 22 road meetings with the Twins, and last won consecutive meetings in Minnesota from May 21-22, 2008.
Michael Young had three hits and three RBIs Friday, and is one game shy of tying Rafael Palmeiro for the franchise record for games played, but manager Ron Washington is planning to give him the day off.
The second baseman has a .360 average his last six games at Target Field.
"I want to play every day, but at the same time Wash was great," Young said. "I told him I'm fine, I told him I'm ready to go. He just said he wants to take care of me."
Texas turns to Colby Lewis (5-6, 4.37 ERA), who has had his own difficulty with the Twins, especially on the road. He's 0-3 with a 7.03 ERA in eight games - four starts - against them, with all three decisions coming at Minnesota where he's compiled an 8.31 ERA.
The right-hander enters this meeting trying to rebound from his worst - and shortest - outing of the season. He lasted just 3 1-3 innings Monday, surrendering season highs of nine runs and 10 hits in a 13-7 loss to Detroit.
Lewis has a 0.76 ERA while winning two of his last three road games.
The first baseman is hitting .225 on the season, going 2 for 27 his last seven games. He's also 3 for 30 with one RBI in the past nine meetings against Texas.
The Twins, 7-16 at home, give the ball to Scott Baker (3-4, 3.86) as he tries to win consecutive starts for the first time since August.
The right-hander got his first victory in six trips to the mound Monday, but was shaky while allowing four runs and a season-high nine hits - two homers - in seven innings of a 6-4 win at Cleveland.
Baker is 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA in three home starts, but 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in his last four overall against the Rangers.
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