Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2011 ) Detroit 6, Minnesota 2

THE STORY: The Minnesota Twins ride to a 10-game losing streak into Friday night’s game when their weekend series continues against the visiting Detroit Tigers. Detroit opened the four-game set with a 6-2 win Thursday behind ace Justin Verlander, who threw eight strong innings. The Tigers moved a half-game ahead of idle Cleveland into first place in the AL Central, while the Twins fell six games back.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, FSN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (10-5, 4.53 ERA) vs. Twins LH Brian Duensing (7-7, 4.14 ERA).

Scherzer allowed two runs, eight hits and no walks, and struck out six over eight innings Saturday against the White Sox. The Tigers are 3-9 in Scherzer’s last 12 road starts against teams with a losing record. Duensing gave up three runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings Sunday against Kansas City. He is 1-2 with a 3.94 ERA in 14 career appearances – five starts – against Detroit. The Twins are 10-4 in Duensing’s last 14 starts against divisional foes.

ABOUT THE TWINS (46-52): Right fielder Jason Kubel (sprained foot) is expected to rejoin the Twins on Friday after completing his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Rochester. Kubel has missed nearly two months, but he appears healthy after collecting six hits in five rehab games. Kubel was batting .310 with 30 RBIs and five home runs in 52 games before his injury. The Twins will also get Scott Baker (elbow) back when he rejoins the rotation Saturday. Baker has been out since July 7 with a shoulder strain in his pitching elbow. Minnesota optioned lefty pitcher Scott Diamond to Rochester. Center fielder Denard Span (concussion) has just one hit in 12 at-bats over four games during his rehab assignment for Triple-A Rochester, but he played seven innings Thursday and is progressing as planned.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (52-46): Third baseman Wilson Betemit batted ninth Thursday in his first game since being traded from the Royals for two minor league prospects, pitcher Antonio Cruz and catcher Julio Rodriguez. Betemit is batting .280 after going 1-for-4. To make room, the Tigers designated Brandon Inge for assignment Wednesday with hopes he might be willing to play for Triple-A Toledo. However, the Florida Marlins are reportedly interested in signing Inge to play third. Inge has hit just .177 this season, and his power numbers have dropped significantly since hitting 27 home runs in 2009. The Tigers reportedly had scouts in Tampa on Thursday to watch Rays starting pitcher James Shields, who gave up one run on six hits while striking out six over 7 2/3 innings versus the Yankees.

FINAL PITCH: Joe Mauer played first base for the third straight game Thursday, with Drew Butera starting at catcher.