Minnesota @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2011 ) Minnesota 3, Oakland 8

THE STORY: Nick Blackburn of the Minnesota Twins became the latest pitcher to fail to tame the Oakland Athletics as the club produced eight runs on 12 hits in an 8-3 triumph Saturday. Oakland has scored five runs or more in each of its last seven games and nine of 10. The Twins, who have won 11 of their last 17 meetings with the Athletics, look for their sixth series win in their last nine tries in Sunday's finale at Oakland Coliseum.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Carl Pavano (6-7, 4.60 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (3-5, 3.52 ERA).

Pavano is hoping to continue his career dominance of Oakland after a pair of awful outings. The veteran surrendered five runs in six innings against Detroit on July 21 and followed up with an even worse performance at Texas, where he was tagged for eight runs over five frames. Pavano is 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in five career meetings with the Athletics. McCarthy will be making his third start of the season against Minnesota. The 28-year old posted a victory at Target Field on April 10 before settling for a no-decision at home on May 18. McCarthy won his second consecutive decision Tuesday, allowing one run over eight innings against Tampa Bay.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (48-59): RHP Rich Harden's start against Tampa Bay on Thursday nearly was his last for Oakland. The 29-year old was on the verge being traded to Boston, which reportedly would have sent first base prospect Lars Anderson to the Athletics. However, MLB.com reported the deal fell through late Saturday night. Harden, who spent the first 5 1/2 years of his career with Oakland, returned to the club this season and has gone 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five outings after missing the first half of the campaign with a shoulder injury. RF David DeJesus left Saturday's game in the third inning with a right thumb injury. RHP Michael Wuertz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right thumb tendinitis after yielding four runs in two-thirds of an inning Friday.

ABOUT THE TWINS (50-57): DH Jim Thome recorded his 1,651st career RBI on Saturday, putting him one behind Tony Perez for 27th place on the all-time list. Closer Joe Nathan is tied with Rick Aguilera for the franchise lead with 254 saves. Nathan, who posted one save with San Francisco before being traded to Minnesota, also needs one to tie Todd Worrell (256) for 28th all-time.

FINAL PITCH: Oakland's Hideki Matsui went 2-for-3 on Saturday to raise his average since the All-Star break to .473 (26-for-55). That average has a good chance to go up as Matsui is 6-for-14 lifetime against Pavano.