Twins-Boston series preview

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

RHP Ricky Nolasco (2-3, 5.64) vs. LHP Felix Doubront (1-3, 5.09)

RHP Kevin Correia (1-4, 6.34) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (1-1, 3.09)

RHP Phil Hughes (4-1, 3.92) vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (2-3, 6.44)

The Twins have enjoyed a few comeback victories and have won some close games on the road this season, and Glen Perkins believes the pitching is keeping them in more games. "We just weren't in that many games [last year] because the pitching wasn't there," he said. "I don't think anyone is surprised. We did it last year. It just wasn't very frequent." … Phil Hughes is 5-7 with a 5.70 ERA in 22 career games (13 starts) against the Red Sox. … Josmil Pinto has reached base in 40 of 45 career starts and hit his way on in 33 of them. … Casey Fien, who took a Victor Martinez line drive off his right arm, is day-to-day. But he views the swelling as a good thing. "The next time I go work out, I'm just going to hit myself in the bicep," he joked.

The Red Sox beat Texas 5-2 on Sunday to move over .500 for the first time since April 3. They have won six of their past eight, nine of their past 12 and 12 of their past 17. … David Ortiz has 380 home runs with Boston, fourth on their career list behind Ted Williams (521), Carl Yastrzemski (452) and Jim Rice (382). Ortiz is 1-for-7 in his career against Nolasco, with that one hit being a home run. … Third baseman Will Middlebrooks was scratched from Sunday's game because of a sore right hand after being hit with a pitch Saturday, but the Red Sox expect him to be available for the series against the Twins. … Shane Victorino is a career .471 hitter against Kevin Correia.

La Velle E. Neal III