(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.
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