Minnesota @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 21, 2011 ) Minnesota 9, San Francisco 2

THE STORY: After tying a major league record by starting Tuesday's game with eight straight hits, the visiting Minnesota Twins look to extend their season-high eight-game winning streak Wednesday when they continue their three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. The Twins have won 15 of their last 17 games, while the Giants have lost a season-high five straight.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN, CSN Bay Area

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Nick Blackburn (6-4, 3.16 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (4-1, 1.92)

Blackburn gave up seven hits while walking one and striking out one over eight scoreless innings against the White Sox last Thursday. The Twins are 5-17 in Blackburn’s last 22 road starts against a team with a winning record. Vogelsong allowed two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out six over six innings against the Diamondbacks last Thursday. The Giants are 7-3 in his last 10 starts.

ABOUT THE TWINS (32-39): Reliever Joe Nathan (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Tuesday in his second minor league rehab appearance with Triple-A Rochester. He could return from the disabled list as soon as Friday. Third baseman Danny Valencia was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday after missing Sunday’s game with soreness in his right triceps. Designated hitter Jim Thome will bat in a simulated game Thursday in Florida. Out with a strained left quad and a sore back, Thome could rejoin the Twins as a pinch-hitter as soon as this Friday. There’s also a chance the team could give him a few games with Single-A Fort Myers. After serving as the Twins’ designated hitter Sunday, Joe Mauer started at catcher on Tuesday and went 2-for-5 with a double. He entered the game 1-for-11 since returning from the disabled list last Friday.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (39-34): The Twitterverse was buzzing Tuesday night about Barry Zito’s complete game shutout on 118 pitches for Triple-A Fresno. In what was likely his final rehab outing, Zito gave up two hits and two walks while striking out seven against Salt Lake. The Giants now have to decide how Zito fits within their pitching staff. While Zito was out, Vogelsong took control of the fifth spot in the rotation, and there’s no chance he’ll be leaving the rotation. Manager Bruce Bochy has expressed little interest in going to a six-man rotation, so Zito could be used as an expensive long reliever. He could also be used to give Madison Bumgarner or Jonathan Sanchez a break, although that seems unlikely. Bumgarner and Sanchez have been mentioned in trade rumors this month, and it’s possible one of them could be moved to make room for Zito. At this point, however, it’s all speculation. Brandon Belt (wrist) is expected to begin taking batting practice by this weekend, and he could start a minor league rehab assignment next week.

FINAL PITCH: Bumgarner on giving up eight runs in the first inning Tuesday: “It was pretty pathetic of me executing pitches...I don't wish that on anybody.”