Cleveland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2011 ) Cleveland 7, Minnesota 6

THE STORY: After winning the American League Central the last two seasons, the Minnesota Twins hit the 90-loss mark with Friday's 7-6 loss to Cleveland. The Twins have lost six straight and 10 of 11 going into Saturday's game against the Indians at Target Field. Cleveland, which is battling Chicago for second place in the division, broke a three-game losing streak with the win, which was highlighted by Jim Thome's 603rd career home run.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS-North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.95 ERA) vs. Twins RH Anthony Swarzak (3-6, 3.89 ERA).

Gomez is taking advantage of his chance to finish the season in the rotation. He's won his last three starts, allowing four runs in 17 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs in six innings against the White Sox in his last start. Gomez is 0-1 in three career appearances against the Twins. He allowed eight runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings at Target Field in September 2010.

Swarzak is getting a chance to finish the season in the rotation due to injuries to several other starters. He held the Tigers to two runs and struck out a career-high six in his last start, but ended up with a no-decision. Swarzak hasn't won since beating the Angels on Aug. 3. He lost to the Indians on July 18, allowing four runs in six innings, and is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA lifetime versus Cleveland.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (73-75): Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was given the day off Thursday, but it didn't help him get out of his slump. He was hitless in four at-bats Friday, extending his skid to 0-for-20. Cabrera has been struggling the last two months and is batting .201 (31-for-154) since Aug. 1. Cabrera, who has missed only four games all season, carried the Indians while several key teammates went down with injuries, but his numbers are dropping dramatically.

ABOUT THE TWINS (59-90): The bad news keeps piling up in Minnesota. Friday was just another example of how the season has gone. The Twins' latest defeat was their 34th in their last 43 games. Catcher Joe Mauer will likely miss the rest of the season with pneumonia. Third baseman Danny Valencia, one of the Twins' few productive players, missed the game because of the flu and right fielder Jason Kubel left in the fourth inning with a foot injury.

FINAL PITCH: Francisco Liriano was activated Friday and will be used in the bullpen for the next few days. He could make a start in the final week of the season. Liriano had been sidelined with a sore shoulder.