Twins vs. Cleveland series preview

Last update: July 24, 2008 - 10:22 PM

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THREE-GAME SERIES AT PROGRESSIVE FIELD

Today, 6:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Livan Hernandez (10-6, 5.29) vs. LHP Cliff Lee (13-2, 2.29)

Saturday, 6:05p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Scott Baker (6-3, 3.26) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (4-2, 3.10)

Sunday, 12:05 p.m. • Ch. 29, 1500-AM

RHP Nick Blackburn (7-6, 3.83) vs. LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-5, 7.33)

TWINS UPDATE

Righthander Livan Hernandez gave up seven runs over three innings during a 12-2 loss at Cleveland on June 12. After the outing, he apologized for pitching so poorly and has won four of six starts since. ... The Twins beat Cliff Lee 4-3 on July 6. Cincinnati is the only other team to have beaten him. ... Although Alexi Casilla had a rough series in the field against the Yankees, he's batting .358 over his past 26 games. ... Before going 3-for-4 against the Yankees on Wednesday, Mike Lamb had four hits in his previous 46 at-bats. ... Nick Punto is batting .350 against Cleveland this season.

INDIANS UPDATE

Cleveland is looking at different players and trying to have a little more fun after underachieving during the first half of the season and trading ace lefthander CC Sabathia to Milwaukee. ... Third baseman/outfielder Casey Blake can be had, but the Indians won't give him away because of the draft pick they would receive as compensation if he leaves as a free agent during the offseason. Blake is hitting .317 with four homers and 12 RBI this month. ... Both Jhonny Peralta and Grady Sizemore are batting .313 this month. Peralta has a team-high 17 RBI in July and Sizemore has six home runs this month.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III