(My Sportsbook) - Darren Oliver gets a spot start this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.

The left-hander, who has not started a game since 2004, has been thrust into the rotation due to the tragic death of Nick Adenhart, as well as injuries to Ervin Santana, Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey.

Oliver has appeared in two games this season and has allowed a run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings. Last year he was 7-1 with a 2.88 earned run average in 54 games.

The 38-year-old hurler has faced the Twins 21 times (12 starts) and is 6-6 against them with a 4.35 ERA.

Los Angeles' injury woes continued on Friday when it learned the superstar outfielder Vladimir Guerrero would be sidelined at least a month due to a tear in his right pectoral muscle. Team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum examined an MRI of Guerrero's chest on Friday and determined the tear.

Then the Angels went out and dropped their third game in four tries, as Jason Kubel hit the Twins' ninth all-time cycle, completing the rare feat with a dramatic grand slam to cap a seven-run eighth inning, lifting Minnesota to an 11-9 win.

Kubel drove in five runs, while Brendan Harris homered and knocked in two for Minnesota. Denard Span also had a pair of RBI for the Twins, who won for just the second time in their last seven games.

The last Minnesota player to hit for a cycle was Carlos Gomez, May 7 last year in a win over the White Sox. Kubel stroked an RBI double in the first inning, singled in the third and tripled to right field in the sixth before coming up with a dramatic upper-deck shot to right in the eighth off Jason Bulger (0-1).

Matt Guerrier (1-0) allowed two hits and a run over 1 1/3 innings to secure the victory, and Joe Nathan retired the side in order in the ninth for his second save of the year.

As if the Angels' starting rotation was not in enough shambles, Dustin Moseley left after three innings due to stiffness in his right elbow. Justin Speier threw the ensuing two innings, logging four strikeouts, but the bullpen combination of Rafael Rodriguez, Jose Arredondo, Scot Shields and Bulger faltered down the stretch.

Heading to the hill for the Twins tonight will be righty Kevin Slowey, who is 1-0 with a 7.94 ERA. Slowey did not get a decision on Monday against Toronto, as he allowed five runs and 13 hits in 5 1/3 innings of his team's 8-6 loss.

Slowey is 1-1 lifetime against the Angels with a 5.52 ERA in three starts.

The Angels were 5-3 against the Twins last season.