Minnesota @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2011 ) Minnesota 1, San Francisco 5

THE STORY: After snapping the Minnesota Twins’ eight-game winning streak, the host San Francisco Giants look to start a win streak of their own Thursday when they conclude the three-game series. San Francisco ended their five-game losing streak Wednesday when Ryan Vogelsong pitched seven strong innings to lead the Giants to a 5-1 win.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, FS North, CSN Bay Area

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Brian Duensing (4-6, 4.82 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (5-6, 3.39 ERA)

After giving up seven runs in two innings against the Rangers, Duensing rebounded last Friday by holding the Padres to two runs on seven hits in six innings. The Twins are 2-7 in Duensing’s last nine starts. Lincecum gave up three runs - two earned - over six innings on five hits and five walks while striking out seven against the A's last Friday. The Giants are 5-2 in Lincecum’s last seven home starts.

ABOUT THE TWINS (32-40): Designated hitter Jim Thome had five at-bats in a simulated game on Wednesday and will rejoin the Twins on Friday in Milwaukee. Thome has missed three weeks with a strained left quad and a sore back. The news was also good for Joe Nathan, who pitched one inning and struck out the side for Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. Nathan has been out since May 24 with a strained right flexor muscle. Like Thome, he’s expected to be activated in time for Friday’s game. No timetable has been given for three other Twins on the disabled list: Jason Kubel (foot), Justin Morneau (wrist) and Denard Span (concussion). Delmon Young tallied his third straight multi-hit game on Wednesday, and he’s now hitting .338 in June after batting .197 last month. Starting pitcher Carl Pavano is also red-hot this month with a 3-0 record and a 1.64 ERA over his last four starts.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (40-34): After Barry Zito threw a two-hit shutout in his final rehab start for Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday, there was plenty of speculation about his next start. According to manager Bruce Bochy, it could come next Tuesday during a doubleheader against the Cubs. Zito could also start on Sunday against the Indians if Bochy decides to use Madison Bumgarner in relief this week. Bumgarner threw just 25 pitches in Tuesday’s start, when he tied a major league record by allowing eight straight hits to begin the game. In an interesting note, Zito raved about his catcher in Fresno, Hector Sanchez. The team’s top catching prospect was recently promoted from Single-A San Jose, and there’s a chance the 21-year-old could be called up to the majors at some point this season. Andres Torres sat out Wednesday’s game as Bochy looks to get his center fielder untracked. In the middle of a 3-for-31 stretch, Torres sat in favor of Aaron Rowand, who went 0-for-4 and saw his average fall to .238. Torres is batting .231 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 45 games.

FINAL PITCH: The Twins are 7-20 in their last 27 games following a loss.