(Sports Network) - Carl Pavano will try to pitch Minnesota past his former team, as the Twins continue a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians tonight at Progressive Field.
Pavano, who went 9-8 with a 5.37 ERA with the Indians in 2009, was traded by Cleveland to the Twins one year ago on this day. The veteran right-hander has since resurrected his career with Minnesota, though he had a personal eight- game win streak snapped by Tampa Bay on Monday. He gave up four earned runs and nine hits over six innings of the 4-2 loss, his first since June 3rd.
In three career starts versus the Indians, Pavano is a level 1-1 with a 3.05 ERA. He went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two contests versus them last September.
Countering for Cleveland will be Fausto Carmona, who bounced back nicely in his last start after allowing seven earned runs in less than three innings against the Yankees on July 28th. The right-hander tossed seven strong innings in a 6-5 win over Boston on Monday, allowing just two runs - one earned - and eight hits. He has now won four of his past five starts.
Carmona, however, has struggled against the Twins of late, going 0-5 with a 10.41 ERA over his last six outings against them. In his last appearance against Minnesota, Carmona yielded six earned runs and eight hits in a 9-3 loss on April 30th.
The Indians are hoping Carmona can help them build off last night's result, as Matt LaPorta hit a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to lift Cleveland over Minnesota, 7-6, in the opener of this series.
Shin-Soo Choo and Shelley Duncan each had two RBI for the Indians, who have won five of seven. Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits, drove in a run, and scored a run.
Jeanmar Gomez, making his third start in the big leagues, was solid in 5 1/3 innings, giving up one run on four hits. He also struck out three and walked two. Chris Perez (1-2) got the win despite allowing two runs on three hits in the top of the ninth.
Alexi Casilla knocked in four runs for the Twins, who still trail the White Sox by 1 1/2 games in the AL Central. Chicago lost to the Orioles in 10 innings on Friday.
Francisco Liriano lasted just 4 2/3 frames, allowing four runs on seven hits. He also walked a season-high six batters and fanned six. Matt Guerrier (2-7) gave up the homer to LaPorta to suffer the loss.
Minnesota took two of three games from the Indians in Cleveland from April 30- May 2, but the teams have split 10 overall meetings this year.