twins at kansas city series preview
THREE-GAME SERIES AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM
Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Samuel Deduno (1-1, 5.11 ERA) vs. RHP Luis Mendoza (1-2, 4.63)
Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP P.J. Walters (2-0, 4.50) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.84)
Thursday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Mike Pelfrey (3-6, 6.66) vs. RHP James Shields (2-6, 2.83)
TWINS UPDATE
Is this the beginning of a June boom for the Twins offense? They have hit eight home runs over their past four games. From his last two at-bats Saturday and first two Sunday, Ryan Doumit hit for the cycle. Chris Parmelee is batting .353 over his past 11 games. Brian Dozier has a seven-game hitting streak during which he's batting .379. … The Twins are encouraged that Pelfrey's fastball touched 94 miles per hour in his last start. Command remains his issue. … The Twins were swept in a three-game series at Kansas City in April.
ROYALS UPDATE
Kansas City is in a terrible skid, having lost 14 of 17. Hitting has been the main problem, because the Royals have scored only 44 runs in those 17 games. … While it looks as if the Royals can be had, their starters have been tough on the Twins. Mendoza is 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in five outings (four starts) vs. the Twins. Guthrie is 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA and Shields 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA. … Salvador Perez, one of the best young catchers in the game, is expected to rejoin the team in time for the series after time away on bereavement leave.
La VELLE E. NEAL III
