Minnesota @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2012 ) Minnesota 6, Boston 5

A four-game winning streak at the expense of the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers seemed to provide the impetus for the Boston Red Sox to climb back into the pennant race. That momentum has come to a screeching halt courtesy of the Minnesota Twins, who have taken the first two games of the series to extend Boston's losing streak to three and drop the Red Sox below .500 at 53-54. Right-hander Clay Buchholz, Boston's most consistent pitcher, looks to halt the skid Saturday.

Minnesota's play of late belies its 46-60 record, which is the second-worst in the American League. The Twins have won six of eight and clawed back from a four-run deficit to beat the Red Sox in 10 innings Friday. Jamey Carroll snapped out of a 2-for-19 funk with a four-hit night and Justin Morneau also had four hits, his sixth multi-hit game in the last 10. Morneau is batting .419 with nine RBIs in his last 11 games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSNO, NESN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Cole De Vries (2-2, 3.98 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (9-3, 4.75)

De Vries, who will be making his 10th major-league start, hasn't won since June 30, going 0-1 in his last five starts. He was shaky last time out against the Chicago White Sox, allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits in five innings. He has been hurt by the long ball, surrendering six homers in his last four outings.

Buchholz lost his first start after the All-Star break, but has been outstanding in his last three starts, going 1-0 with a 1.57 ERA and allowing four earned runs in 27 innings. He went eight innings last time out against Detroit, allowing three runs - two earned - and five hits in a 7-3 win. Buchhold has surrendered only 18 hits in 29 1/3 innings over his last four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston C Jarrod Saltalamacchia wasn't at Fenway Park for Friday's game. Manager Bobby Valentine said he has an ear infection.

2. Twins C Joe Mauer and Morneau each committed an error Friday, the first time that's happened in the same game in their nine seasons as teammates.

3. The Red Sox are 11-17 since July 1. The only AL teams with worst records in that span are Cleveland and Kansas City.