Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 14, 2011 ) Kansas City 4, Minnesota 8

THE STORY: Minnesota looks to continue its July surge when it hosts Kansas City in the second game of a four-game series on Friday night. The Twins roared back from an early three-run deficit for an 8-4 victory in Thursday's series opener, their 10th win in the last 13 games. Trevor Plouffe put Minnesota in front to stay with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The Twins have crawled within six games of Detroit in the American League Central.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports (Kansas City), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luke Hochevar (5-8, 5.46) vs. Twins RH Nick Blackburn (7-6, 4.24)

Kansas City's starter on Opening Day, Hochevar endured a rough first half that saw him turn in just eight quality starts in 19 outings. He was roughed up in his first two July starts, allowing 11 earned runs in just eight innings, but avoided a loss in both cases thanks to 29 runs of support from the Royals' offense. Hochevar is 3-3 with a 5.59 ERA in his career against the Twins, including a loss on June 4 that saw him surrender six runs in six innings.

Blackburn was putting together an excellent season until stumbling badly in his last three starts. He has given up 18 earned runs on 29 hits in his last 13 1/3 innings, raising his ERA by more than a full run in the process. Despite his struggles, Blackburn was a winner in his last start at Chicago on July 8 (5 IP, 10 H, 5 ER). He is 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 career starts against the Royals, including a win on June 4 (5 IP, 2 ER). Kansas City hitters are a combined 24-for-100 against Blackburn.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (37-55): Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the major leagues in ERA, WHIP and most other pitching categories, and Thursday's loss was a pretty accurate summation of how the 2011 season has gone. Bruce Chen, the Royals' top starter all year, came unglued in the fifth inning, and reliever Blake Wood gave up four runs in just 1/3 of an inning. Despite an offense that leads the majors with 93 stolen bases and ranks among the American League leaders in batting average, doubles and triples, the Royals are just 17-38 since May 12.

ABOUT THE TWINS (42-48): Minnesota's previously dormant offense has started to find itself recently, producing 68 runs in 11 July games after scoring just 287 in its first 79 contests (3.6 per game). Part of the revival can be attributed to the return of C Joe Mauer, who has played just 32 games this season, and LF Delmon Young, who returned from the disabled list Thursday. The pair combined for five hits and three RBIs in the series opener. Minnesota's bullpen, which has converted just 21 of 35 save chances, remains a concern.

FINAL PITCH: After posting an MLB-worst home record of 6-15 in April and May, the Twins are 15-4 at Target Field.