(My Sportsbook) - Minnesota tries to make it three straight wins this afternoon when it closes out its season-opening four-game series with the Seattle Mariners at the Metrodome.

After dropping their first game of the year, the Twins have picked up back-to- back wins including a 6-5 triumph on Wednesday. Justin Morneau and Denard Span had two-run homers to pace the offense, while Jason Kubel came through with an RBI double that plated the go-ahead run in the fifth.

Kevin Slowey (1-0) picked up the win, but was charged with all five runs on nine hits. He also struck out five and did not walk a batter over six innings.

Joe Nathan logged a perfect ninth and picked up his 200th save as a Twin.

Carlos Silva (0-1), hoping for a fresh start following a forgettable first season in Seattle, started 2009 much like he left off last season. The 29- year-old right-hander gave up six runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

Silva was 1-15 over his final 23 starts in 2008 and finished a putrid 4-15 while pitching to a 6.46 earned run average.

Yuniesky Betancourt did his best to spark the offense with a 3-for-4 effort, including an RBI double, while Jose Lopez collected a pair of hits, including a home run for the Mariners, who have lost 10 of their last 13 games in the Metrodome.

Hoping to keep the Twins in the win column today will be lefty Glen Perkins, who was 12-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 26 starts last season. He was also 2-0 in three starts against the Mariners, while pitching to a 6.05 ERA.

Seattle, meanwhile, will counter with veteran lefty Jarrod Washburn, who is coming off a horrible 2008 season that saw him go 5-14 with a 4.75 ERA. Washburn is 6-6 lifetime against the Twins with a 3.53 ERA in 15 starts.

The Twins went 5-4 against Seattle last season.