(My Sportsbook) - The Minnesota Twins continue their push towards the top of the AL Central this evening when they play the middle test of their three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at the Metrodome.

Minnesota drew first blood in this set on Tuesday, as Justin Morneau had a two-run homer and Joe Mauer also drove in two runs, lifting the Twins to a 7-2 win. Brian Buscher went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored for Minnesota, which despite only having two wins in their last seven games, pulled within a game of the Chicago White Sox for the top spot in the AL Central.

The Pale Hose were swept in a doubleheader by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Nick Blackburn (10-8) got the win after lasting seven innings and giving up just two runs on five hits, while fanning three and walking one batter.

Miguel Olivo homered for the Royals, who have dropped two straight and three of four overall. Jose Guillen went 3-for-4 and drove in the other run in defeat.

The Royals have now dropped 11 of 13 away from home.

Brian Bannister (7-15), who hasn't won since June 23 and hasn't beaten an American League team since topping the Cleveland Indians back on June 1, took the loss after getting roughed up for seven runs on 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work.

Minnesota's hopes tonight will rest on the right arm of Kevin Slowey, who has won four of his last five decisions. Slowey, though, was charged with the loss on Thursday in Toronto, as the Blue Jays hit him for three runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings, dropping him to 11-9 on the year, while raising his ERA to 3.75.

Slowey has defeated the Royals twice already this season and is 2-0 lifetime against them with a 2.50 ERA in three games (two starts).

Kansas City will counter with righty Kyle Davies, who is 6-6 with a 4.59 ERA. Davies picked up a win on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics, as he gave up just a run and three hits in five frames.

Davies is 2-3 in his five starts versus the Twins, while pitching to a 4.76 ERA.

Minnesota has won 10 of its 13 meetings with the Royals this season, including three of the four matchups at the Metrodome.