Jul 16, 2006, 15:30 GMT
(Sports Network) - A four-game series at the Metrodome concludes this afternoon as the Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Indians.
Both the Indians and the Twins have been overshadowed by the tremendous play of the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox who continue to battle for first place in the AL Central.
On Saturday, Johan Santana tossed seven brilliant innings, and Justin Morneau homered to lead Minnesota past Cleveland, 6-2.
The former American League Cy Young winner allowed just two runs on five hits for the Twins, who won their second straight contest. Santana (10-5) fanned seven and did not walk a batter.
Juan Rincon and Dennys Reyes finished things with an inning of scoreless relief apiece.
Morneau finished 3-for-4 with the home run and two runs scored while Nick Punto was 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Travis Hafner was 1-for-4 with a home run for the Indians, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Casey Blake finished 2-for-4.
C.C. Sabathia (7-5) started on the hill for Cleveland and went the distance, surrendering six runs -- four earned -- on 13 hits en route to the loss.
The news was not all good for the Twins on Saturday, as center fielder Torii Hunter left the game after in the third inning after aggravating his left ankle. The team also placed left fielder Shannon Stewart on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season after the game.
Lefty Jeremy Sowers is expected to get the ball for Cleveland today, and his 7.47 ERA is in obvious need of improvement. Sowers has pitched a total of 15 2/3 innings in his three starts and has allowed four home runs, an obvious cause of his struggles. In his most recent starts, Sowers surrendered seven earned runs on seven hits in only 3 2/3 innings against the Orioles.
Sowers has never faced Minnesota in his career.
Speaking of the Twins, they will send Carlos Silva to the mound. At 4-9 with a 7.00 ERA, Silva has been a disappointment thus far. He has allowed 132 hits in 90 innings of work and does not earn many strikeouts (36). He was bounced from his last start in the second inning by the Texas Rangers.
Silva is 2-3 with a 5.28 ERA lifetime against Cleveland.
Cleveland is 5-3 versus the Twins this season and has won eight of the last 11 meetings between the clubs. The teams split a two-game series at the Metrodome in May.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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