The Los Angeles Angels look for a home series win on Sunday, hosting the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Joel Pineiro gets the start for the Angels, who begin the day three and a half games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West. Kevin Slowey gets the start for Minnesota.
The Rangers send Matt Harrison to the mound in their series finale at Fenway Park, against John Lackey and the Boston Red Sox.
The Angels have won seven of their last eight home games, including a 10-6 win on Saturday night against the Twins. Mark Trumbo hit a grand slam in the first inning, Vernon Wells hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth inning, and Peter Bourjos hit a solo shot in the sixth inning.
Pineiro has pitched six innings in both of his starts since returning to the starting rotation on August 20. He allowed three runs in six innings in a no-decision Monday in Seattle. Pineiro is looking for his first win since July 9; since then Pineiro has allowed 37 runs in 33 innings over nine games, including six starts, with 10 walks, nine strikeouts, and seven home runs allowed.
Pineiro allowed seven runs in Minnesota on August 3 in a loss to the Twins.
The 27-year old Slowey began the year in the Twins' bullpen, but since getting recalled three weeks ago has joined the starting rotation. In three starts this season, Slowey is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA after a 4.91 ERA in six bullpen appearances earlier in the season.
The Angels are 5-3 against the Twins this season, looking for their third series win of two games to one against Minnesota in 2011.
Sunday's 12:35 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.