Baltimore @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2011 ) Baltimore 4, Minnesota 1

THE STORY: The Baltimore Orioles can exhale after snapping a five-game losing streak in Monday’s series opener in Minnesota. The Orioles will take aim at another modest goal in the second of a three-game series Tuesday night at Target Field – trying to beat the same opponent in back-to-back games for the first time since July 16-17 against Cleveland. The Twins fell to 5-14 in August following Monday’s 4-1 defeat.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2, FSNO

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alfredo Simon (3-6, 4.68 ERA) vs. Twins LH Brian Duensing (8-12, 4.75 ERA).

Simon is coming off three rocky outings in a row in which he is 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA. During that span, the converted reliever has been tagged for 16 runs and 29 hits over just 15 2/3 innings. He's also surrendered four homers in those three outings. Simon has not allowed a run to Minnesota in four relief appearances.

Duensing has lost four consecutive starts and an inability to keep the ball in the park is a big reason why. He coughed up three homers in five innings of an 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday. Duensing has been lit up for eight homers during his four-game skid. The Twins have scored seven runs in his last five losses.

ABOUT THE TWINS (55-72): Minnesota’s offensive struggles continued Monday, although it wasn’t for lack of opportunities. The Twins were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. It marked the sixth time in the last 10 games that they have been held to two runs or fewer. Michael Cuddyer returned to the lineup after a nine-game absence and had a pair of hits. However, Justin Morneau sat out his second game in a row with a foot contusion, the result of fouling a ball off it Saturday. Joe Mauer had his third straight multi-hit game.

ABOUT THE ORIOLES (48-77): Baltimore recorded its 19th road win Monday, moving into a tie with Kansas City and Houston for fewest in the majors. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who was traded to the Orioles by Minnesota in the offseason, continues to torment his former team. He hit his 24th homer to put Baltimore ahead for good. It was Hardy’s fourth blast in 16 games vs. the Twins. Matt Wieters homered for the second straight day and has a four-game RBI streak. Nick Markakis has five multi-hit games and eight RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.

FINAL PITCH: Twins DH Jim Thome has a busy day off the field Monday. He was named the AL Player of the Week after becoming the eighth player to reach 600 career home runs. He reportedly also was put on waivers by the Twins and could be claimed by a contending team.