Minnesota @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 31, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 3, Minnesota 15
An off day Monday might have been a bit more welcome for the Minnesota Twins than the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the teams begin a three-game interleague series at PNC Park. The Twins are coming off a 15-inning win over Milwaukee in which a 42-minute rain delay in the 11th inning made for a marathon series finale. Minnesota used seven pitchers, so the day off should help it get its bullpen back in order.
The Pirates hope their hot hitting continues after the off day. They scored nine runs in consecutive games to take two of three from Cleveland. Pedro Alvarez led the charge with four home runs and nine RBIs over the past two games and Alex Presley has homered in consecutive contests. The Pirates have been good at home - they're 19-11 at PNC Park - but that success hasn't carried over when right-hander Kevin Correia is on the mound. Correia is 0-6 in nine home starts since his last win at PNC Park on June 22, 2011.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (5-2, 2.13 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Kevin Correia (2-6, 4.43 ERA)
The Twins' most consistent starter, Diamond had strung together four straight quality starts before giving up four runs in six innings Thursday against the Phillies. The 25-year-old allowed a pair of homers in losing for the first time since May 23. He is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in three road starts.
Correia has just one victory in his last 10 starts and is winless at PNC Park despite quality starts in three of his four home outings. He hasn't made a home start since May 26. The 31-year-old was tagged for five runs (four earned) and 10 hits over six innings Wednesday at Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. Catcher Joe Mauer, who on Sunday moved past Cesar Tovar for ninth place on the Twins' all-time hit list (1,165), left Sunday's game with a bruised right quad. He is day-to-day.
2. The Pirates have hit seven home runs in the past two games and 20 in 15 games this month (1.3 per game). They hit 38 in their first 50 games (0.76 per game).
3. Minnesota's Jamey Carroll gave Correia fits during his days in the National League, going 8-for-15 with three RBIs against him.