Aug 19, 2006, 15:25 GMT
(Sports Network) - Two pitchers on a roll square off against one another tonight at the Metrodome as the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins continue a huge three-game series.
Jon Garland has been the most consistent pitcher on the White Sox' star- studded staff as of late and enters tonight's tilt having won nine of his last 10 decisions. The lanky right-hander, who leads Chicago with 13 victories on the season, has allowed one run or less in five of his last eight starts.
Minnesota counters with standout veteran Brad Radke, who comes in on a three- start win streak and has been sensational over the last two months despite pitching with a partial labrum tear.
Garland put forth another outstanding effort on Monday, holding Kansas City to a run over seven innings in Chicago's 12-2 triumph.
However, he was hit hard in his lone start against Minnesota this season. In a May 12 encounter at the Metrodome, the 26-year-old surrendered seven runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings and came away with the loss.
Garland is 5-6 with a 4.34 earned run average in 21 career games (18 starts) versus the Twins.
Radke has yielded only four runs in 22 innings over his last three outings and threw seven shutout frames to beat Toronto on Sunday. He limited the Blue Jays to five hits and walked just one.
The 33-year-old is 7-1 with a stellar 2.53 ERA over his last 10 games and has excelled all season long at the Metrodome, where he has compiled an 8-3 record with a 3.67 ERA in 13 starts.
Radke defeated the White Sox in the Windy City last month after allowing two runs over six innings and is 2-1 in his three appearances versus Chicago this year. For his career Radke sports a 16-14 record and a 4.72 ERA in 34 starts against the Sox.
Minnesota now stands just a game off Chicago's lead in the American League wild-card race following Friday's 7-3 win. Torii Hunter finished 2-for-3 and snapped a 3-3 deadlock with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Justin Morneau knocked in two runs while Jason Tyner and Nick Punto each had three hits in the victory, Minnesota's fourth in five games.
Pat Neshek (3-0) picked up the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Boof Bonser, who allowed three runs on six hits over the first 5 1/3 frames.
Jermaine Dye belted a two-run homer and Paul Konerko had two hits and an RBI for the White Sox, who have dropped three of their last four.
Freddy Garcia (11-8) was dealt the loss after giving up five runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Minnesota, which has a 6-5 edge in the season series, has won 12 of the last 17 meetings against the Sox in the Metrodome.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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