It's been 17 straight innings without a run for the Twins, but it's worse than that -- it's been 17 straight innings without an extra-base hit, too. Not since Oswaldo Arcia smacked Trevor Bauer's first-inning changeup onto the plaza Tuesday night has a Twin managed more than a single, and there have been only 10 of those.
This isn't a scoring drought to rival Minnesota's trip to Fenway Park in June, when the Twins scored two runs in 28 innings, but it's close. It's more than a little disheartening, considering the Twins are relatively healthy again, and the top five in their lineup are pretty much the best they've got.
Worst of all? The Indians will start Corey Kluber in this afternoon's series finale, siccing baseball's hottest pitcher on its coldest lineup. Kluber has allowed two runs in August, has given up 20 hits total in his last five starts, and has surrendered more than two runs in a start only once since June 10.
Phil Hughes has the challenge of facing Kluber, so at least it's a reasonably fair fight on the mound. Hughes has been almost as good as Kluber this month, giving up just one run in each of his last three starts. The Twins will need his best today.
Here are the lineups for today's 12:10 start, which will not be televised in Minnesota:
INDIANS
Bourn CF
Aviles SS
