(My Sportsbook) - The Tampa Bay Rays hope to put the brakes on a two-game losing streak this evening when they continue their nine-game road trip with the first of three games against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.

After winning a franchise-record 97 games last season on their way to an AL East title, as well as an AL Pennant, the Rays have stumbled out of the gates, going 7-12, while occupying the last spot in their division.

That trend continued on Sunday, as the Rays dropped the rubber match of their three-game series with the Oakland Athletics, falling 7-1 at Oakland Coliseum.

Carl Crawford had two of the Rays' four hits, as Tampa Bay lost for the sixth time in eight games. Andy Sonnanstine (0-3) had a poor outing, giving up seven runs on 10 hits and two walks while fanning three in four-plus innings.

Hoping to help right the ship for the Rays this evening will be 26-year-old righty Jeff Niemann, who is coming off his first win of the season. Niemann defeated Seattle on Wednesday, holding the Mariners to three runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings to improve to 1-2, while lowering his earned run average to 5.40.

Niemann will be making his first-ever start against the Twins, but has faced them once out of the bullpen, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Minnesota will counter with righty Scott Baker, who is still searching for his first win after starting the year on the disabled list. Baker dropped his second straight decision on Wednesday in Boston, as he was pounded for six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Baker, who won 11 games for the Twins last season, is pitching to a 12.46 ERA.

Baker is 1-0 in two games (one start) against the Rays with a 3.86 ERA.

Minnesota was denied a sweep in its three-game set with the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, falling 4-2 in the finale at Progressive Field. Jose Morales had a career-high four hits and scored a run for the Twins, who have lost three of their last five games.

Glen Perkins (1-2), who went at least eight innings in each of his first three starts, was saddled with the loss after lasting five frames and giving up four runs on seven hits.

Tampa split its six meetings with the Twins last season and holds a slight 7-6 advantage in the series since the start of the 2007 campaign. These teams have also split the last six matchups at the Metrodome.