Cleveland @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2011 ) Cleveland 10, Minnesota 4
THE STORY: The Minnesota Twins have already wrapped up their first 90-loss season since 2000. The Twins will look to snap their seven-game losing streak when they host the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Cleveland won the first two games of the series and is 4-5 going into the finale of its 10-game road trip. The Indians have won seven of the 13 games in the season series.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, STO/WKYC (Cleveland), FS-North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (11-10, 3.20 ERA) vs. Twins RH Carl Pavano (8-12, 4.50 ERA).
Masterson was the Indians' best starter for five months, but has struggled in September. He has allowed 15 runs in 18 innings in three starts this month. Masterson gave up a season-high three home runs in five innings against the Texas Rangers in his last start. He's 0-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 11 career games - eight starts - against the Twins. Danny Valencia, who has missed the last two games because of the flu, is batting .462 (6-for-13) lifetime against Masterson.
After winning his first two starts in September, Pavano gave up two homers and 11 hits in seven innings and lost to the Kansas City Royals in his last outing. He's 1-0 in three starts, allowing six runs in 21 1/3 innings against the Indians this season. Pavano is 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA in eight career starts versus Cleveland. Asdrubal Cabrera is batting .043 (1-for-23) lifetime against Pavano, who has cracked the 200-inning mark for the second straight season and the fourth time in his career.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (74-75): Carlos Santana's .239 batting average isn't what anyone expected, but his other offensive numbers look strong in his first full season in the majors. Santana belted his 25th home run Saturday, his second in the series and fourth in five games. He's also driven in 75 runs. The switch-hitter has struck out 124 times, but has also drawn 91 walks. As soon as Santana learns to be more patient when he's ahead in the count, his numbers will go up.
ABOUT THE TWINS (59-91): The Twins learned Friday that catcher Joe Mauer will miss the rest of the season because of pneumonia. On Saturday, word came out that infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka won't play again because of a right oblique strain. The Twins hoped that Nishioka would provide some stability to the middle of the infield, but that didn't happen. The Japan native broke his leg while being taken out on a double play early in the season and struggled when he returned. While Nishioka didn't produce offensively - he batted .226 with 19 RBIs - his poor defense was even more disappointing. Nishioka committed 12 errors, including 10 at shortstop, in 68 games.
FINAL PITCH: Add Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel to the list of Twins' players who may be done for the season. Morneau hasn't played since Aug. 28 because of concussion symptoms while Kubel re-injured his left foot Friday.