Seattle @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2011 ) Seattle 3, Minnesota 0

THE STORY: The reeling Twins have lost nine straight, tying a May skid for their worst of the season. But they won’t get a better chance to snap out of it than a three-game home series starting Tuesday against Seattle. The Mariners rank dead last in MLB in runs scored, even after Monday’s 12-6 rout in Cleveland. Seattle has scored 529 runs; Minnesota is second-worst in the AL with 578.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT, FS-N

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (8-13, 4.38 ERA) vs. Twins RH Liam Hendriks (0-2, 6.00 ERA)

Vargas has been brilliant in his last two starts, allowing two earned runs and seven hits over 12 2/3 innings. He’s 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four career appearances against the Twins.

A 22-year-old rookie, Hendriks has made two MLB starts. He impressed in his debut against the White Sox, but was tagged by the Royals for five earned runs and eight hits over five innings his last time out. He’ll stay in the rotation the rest of the way as the Twins evaluate him for next year.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (64-89): The Mariners, who have struck out a club-record 1,206 times, played a makeup game in Cleveland on Monday to start this seven-game trip. First baseman Justin Smoak (groin) hasn’t started since straining his groin last Wednesday, but replacement Mike Carp hit a grand slam in a nine-run third Monday, Seattle's biggest inning this year. Third baseman Alex Liddi belted his first major-league homer Monday after starting his career 1-for-12. Left fielder Casper Wells stayed back in Seattle on Monday to undergo an examination of his head. At first he was believed to have the flu, but now there are concerns about his equilibrium.

ABOUT THE TWINS (59-93): Center fielder Ben Revere set a team record for rookies by stealing his 32nd base in Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Yankees. The previous mark was held by Luis Rivas, who stole 31 in 2001. Outfielder Jason Repko will be re-evaluated Tuesday after being hit in the head by a pitch Sunday. A CT scan came back negative. Infielder Alexi Casilla (hamstring) is expected to be activated Tuesday. Pitcher Scott Baker (flexor strain) could be available by this weekend.

FINAL PITCH: Seattle leads the season series 3-2.