Blackburn to start on Monday

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Nick Blackburn is listed on the Twins' game notes as the starter on Monday against the Rangers. So I guess that's their way of announcing it.

Blackburn, called up to replace the injured Kevin Slowey, was on a five-day schedule to start on Monday anyway. Francisco Liriano, orginally scheduled to start Monday, will now start on Thursday while Carl Pavano and Brian Duensing stay on their regular schedules.

Blackburn will meet the team in Texas in time for tomorrow's game,

Anthony Slama, who was called up to replace Ron Mahay, is expected to be here today. Remember, the Twins don't have a lefty reliever available today because Mahay and Jose Mijares are on the DL and Glen Perkins in not available after pitching 2.2 innings yesterday.

 

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Division leaders prepare for four-game set


Monday night's opener of a four-game series between the Twins and Rangers could very well foreshadow October baseball.

Both teams, atop their respective divisions, boast similar records and have a little breathing room over their immediate competition. That being said, while the two squads appear to have converged at nearly the same statistical plateau, they seem to be trending in different directions.

For the 69-54 Rangers, they return to Arlington after a disappointing 2-5 road trip against the Rays and Orioles. Over their last 12 games, all against American League East teams, the Rangers -- who beat Baltimore, 6-4, on Sunday to return home on a good note -- have gone 5-7, allowing the AL West-rival Angels and A's to inch their way back into playoff contention.

Despite missing second baseman Ian Kinsler -- who will undergo an MRI on his left groin Monday -- and outfielder Nelson Cruz for the bulk of the AL East stretch, the Rangers' potent offense continued to produce ample run support. Through the 12-game span, Texas averaged 4.42 runs per game, and surprisingly, scored six runs on three different losing occasions.

Poor starting pitching has been partially to blame for the Rangers' recent woes. Excluding three solid outings from C.J. Wilson, the rest of the staff has posted a combined 1-6 record with a 6.84 ERA during the 12-game span.

Attempting to curb that trend and build upon Tommy Hunter's quality start on Sunday will be right-hander Rich Harden. Harden will make his first start since being placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis Aug. 8. In his last outing vs. Oakland, Harden lasted only 2 1/3 innings, yielding three runs.

"I've been looking forward to getting back out there," Harden said. "I felt good in the last start [in Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday]. I'm ready to go."

Harden added just how important this upcoming series is for the slumping Rangers.

"Sometimes the toughest teams to play are out of it," said Harden, after his team split a four-game series with the well-below-.500 Orioles. "Every game is important, and you treat it like that, but sometimes it's easier to get that intensity and that focus when you're playing a better team."

 

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With Kevin Slowey being placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained triceps, the Twins are shuffling the starting rotation a bit.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Nick Blackburn will start on Monday night in Texas, with Francisco Liriano being pushed back to Thursday for a match-up against Cliff Lee.

Blackburn last pitched on Wednesday for Class-AAA Rochester, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings while striking out five. In four starts for Rochester, Blackburn had a 2.49 ERA with 13 strikeouts to six walks in 21 2/3 innings.

Gardenhire said Liriano -- who has not pitched beyond 5 2/3 innings in any of his last three starts -- skipped his last bullpen session because of a "tired arm," as the manager described it, so the extra rest should be beneficial.

"This is actually good," Gardenhire said. "Now (pitching coach Rick Anderson) can take him down there and throw a light bullpen (Monday). We talked to Liriano, and he likes the idea too.

"You've got to remember, what did he throw, 50 innings in winter ball?"

Carl Pavano and Brian Duensing will make their regularly scheduled starts on Tuesday and Wednesday.