Minnesota @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2012 ) Minnesota 2, Pittsburgh 1

In his first season with Minnesota, Josh Willingham is supplying the type of power the Twins expected. The outfielder hit his 14th homer of the season in the eighth inning of Minnesota’s 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh. Willingham is on track to hit more than 20 homers for the fifth time in the past seven seasons. The Pirates missed a great opportunity to pull closer to NL Central leader Cincinnati, but surprising Pittsburgh remains 2 1/2 games behind the Reds.

Pittsburgh is contending thanks to a pitching staff that ranks sixth in the majors in staff ERA (3.51). James McDonald has put together an All-Star worthy season, but is just 5-3 thanks to the Pirates’ offensive struggles. Minnesota turns to Liam Hendriks for the rubber game of the three-game series. Hendriks is in his second stint with the big-league club this season, and has allowed eight homers in just 23 major-league innings this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Root Sports (Pittsburgh).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Liam Hendriks (0-3, 7.83 ERA) vs. Pirates RH James McDonald (5-3, 2.32)

Hendriks continues to try and find his way in the majors. The Australian right-hander was sent to Triple-A Rochester after posting a 9.00 ERA in four starts, then went 5-0 with a 1.94 ERA after his demotion. Summoned back to the majors to start last Saturday, Hendriks gave up three homers in a loss to Milwaukee.

McDonald continues to post one of the best seasons of any hurler, but the Pirates can’t provide him with any run support. McDonald is sixth in the majors in WHIP (0.98) and sixth in ERA. He lost his last start Friday at Cleveland despite allowing just one earned run on three hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota closer Matt Capps threw before Wednesday’s game and is expected to return to action Thursday or Friday. Capps has not pitched since last Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

2. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle announced Wednesday struggling starter Brad Lincoln will remain in the rotation and will take his turn Saturday against Detroit. Lincoln has a 10.03 ERA in three June starts.

3. Minnesota’s Glen Perkins picked up his first save of the season in Wednesday’s game.