series preview twins at seattle
FOUR-GAME SERIES AT SAFECO FIELD
Thursday, 9:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Kevin Correia (7-6, 4.17 ERA) vs. Hisashi Iwakuma (9-4, 2.99)
Friday, 9:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
LHP Scott Diamond (5-9, 5.53) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez (11-4, 2.43)
Saturday, 3:10 p.m. • no TV, 96.3-FM
RHP Samuel Deduno (6-4, 3.50) vs. RHP Aaron Harang (5-8, 5.06)
Sunday, 3:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Kyle Gibson (2-2, 5.72) vs. RHP Erasmo Ramirez (1-0, 8.71)
TWINS UPDATE
Third baseman Trevor Plouffe went 0-for-3 on Wednesday, extending his skid to 1-for-15 over five games. That includes a stretch with six consecutive strikeouts. "He just started pressing," manager Ron Gardenhire said. … Closer Glen Perkins and setup men Casey Fien and Jared Burton should all be ready to pitch Thursday after getting a needed day off Wednesday. … Pedro Florimon was 3-for-3 against Iwakuma on May 31 at Target Field, but Iwakuma went 7⅔ innings and earned the victory. … Joe Mauer will be sorely missed Friday when the Twins face Hernandez. Mauer is a career .424 hitter off the Seattle ace with two home runs.
MARINERS UPDATE
Manager Eric Wedge is out for the series after suffering a mild stroke Monday. He is expected to make a full recovery, but bench coach Robby Thompson will manage the team in his place. Seattle has a little swagger these days, too. The Mariners had an eight-game winning streak until losing 10-1 to Cleveland at home on Wednesday. … The Mariners had homered in 16 consecutive home games before that streak ended Tuesday. … Twins fans can get a look at Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, one of the top prospects available last year, when the Twins selected Byron Buxton with the second overall pick. … Ramirez, from Nicaragua, won on Tuesday for the first time since June 25, 2012.
La VELLE E. NEAL III
