Twins-Baltimore series preview

May 10, 2013 at 4:41AM
Baltimore Orioles closer Jim Johnson strikes out the Kansas City Royals' Jarrod Dyson for his 13th save of the season in a 5-3 win at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/MCT) ORG XMIT: 1138516 ORG XMIT: MIN1305082145541389
Jim Johnson has converted 34 consecutive saves dating to last year and is on pace for his second consecutive 50-save season for the Orioles. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Mike Pelfrey (3-3, 3.65 ERA) vs.

RHP Jason Hammel (5-1, 4.10)

Saturday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Vance Worley (0-4, 6.95) vs.

RHP Steve Johnson (0-0, —)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

LHP Scott Diamond (3-2, 3.03) vs.

RHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-3, 3.40)

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins begin a nine-game homestand in which they will play host to the Orioles, White Sox and Red Sox. … The Twins took two of three from the Orioles in Baltimore during both teams' second series of the season. … Twins manager Ron Gardenhire gave Ryan Pressly the game ball Wednesday after the Rule 5 draft pick pitched four shutout innings in relief for his first major league victory. … Shortstop Pedro Florimon injured his right hamstring trying to beat out a bunt in the seventh inning Thursday. Florimon said he is going to be OK but wasn't sure how much he would test the injury Friday. … Gardenhire loves Oswaldo Arcia's swing, but he also liked that Arcia recently has tried to make adjustments with two strikes on him. … The Twins are expecting fairly good crowds this weekend, with 30,000-plus a possibility for each game.

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ORIOLES UPDATE

Miguel Gonzalez was supposed to start Saturday but was placed on the disabled list Thursday because of a thumb blister. … Jim Johnson on Wednesday tied the Orioles record by converting his 34th consecutive save opportunity. He saved 51 games in 2012 and is on pace to pass 50 again. Only Mariano Rivera and Eric Gagne have multiple 50-save seasons. But the Twins scored a run off Johnson, appearing in a non-save situation, on April 6 to beat the Orioles 6-5. … Second baseman Brian Roberts, who has battled concussion issues the past two seasons, will have surgery on his right hamstring and miss six weeks. … Steve Johnson, the expected starter Saturday, was 1-1 with a 4.41 ERA at Class AAA Norfolk this year. He was 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in 12 games (four starts) for the Orioles last year.

La VELLE E. NEAL III

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